Opposites Attract Read Online Free PDF Page A

“I’ve kept my hand in.”
    Though Madge wondered avidly about Asher’s marriage and years of self-imposed retirement, she knew her former partner too well to question. “Kingston hates to play the net. It’s her biggest weakness.”
    â€œI know.” Asher slipped the spare ball in her pocket. “I’ve studied her. Today she’s going to play my game.”
    â€œShe’s better on clay than grass.”
    It was a roundabout way of reminding Asher of her own weakness. She gave Madge one of her rare, open smiles. “It won’t matter. Next week I’m playing center court.”
    Slipping on a warm-up jacket, Madge gave a hoot of laughter. “Haven’t changed much, have you?”
    â€œBits and pieces.” Asher dabbed at sweat with her wristband. “What about you? How’re you going to play Fortini?”
    â€œMy dear.” Madge fluffed at her hair. “I’ll simply overpower her.”
    Asher snorted as they strolled off the court. “You haven’t changed either.”
    â€œIf you’d told me you were coming back,” Madge put in, “we’d be playing doubles. Fisher’s good, and I like her, but . . .”
    â€œI couldn’t make the decision until I was sure I wouldn’t make a fool of myself.” Slowly Asher flexed her racket arm. “Three years, Madge. I ache.” She sighed with the admission. “I don’t remember if I ached like this before.”
    â€œWe can trade legs anytime you say, Face.”
    Remembering, Asher turned with a look of concern. “How’s the knee?”
    â€œBetter since the surgery last year.” Madge shrugged. “I can still forecast rain though. Here’s to a sunny season.”
    â€œI’m sorry I wasn’t there for you.”
    Madge hooked her arm through Asher’s in easy comradeship. “Naturally I expected you to travel six thousand miles to hold my hand.”
    â€œI would have if . . .” Asher trailed off, remembering the state of her marriage at the time of Madge’s surgery.
    Recognizing guilt, Madge gave Asher a friendly nudge with her elbow. “It wasn’t as big a deal as the press made out. Of course,” she added with a grin, “I milked it for a lot of sympathy. The Dean brought me breakfast in bed for two months. Bless his heart.”
    â€œThen you came back and demolished Rayski in New York.”
    â€œYeah.” Madge laughed with pleasure. “I enjoyed that.”
    Asher let her gaze wander over the serene arena, quiet but for the thud of balls and the hum of bees. “I have to win this one, Madge. I need it. There’s so much to prove.”
    â€œTo whom?”
    â€œMyself first.” Asher moved her shoulders restlessly, shifting her bag to her left hand. “And a few others.”
    â€œStarbuck? No, don’t answer,” Madge continued, seeing Asher’s expression out of the corner of her eye. “It just sort of slipped out.”
    â€œWhat was between Ty and me was finished three years ago,” Asher stated, deliberately relaxing her muscles.
    â€œToo bad.” Madge weathered Asher’s glare easily. “I like him.”
    â€œWhy?”
    Stopping, Madge met the direct look. “He’s one of the most alive people I know. Ever since he learned to control his temper, he brings so much emotion to the courts. It’s good for the game. You don’t have a stale tournament when Starbuck’s around. He also brings that same emotion into his friendships.”
    â€œYes,” Asher agreed. “It can be overwhelming.”
    â€œI didn’t say he was easy,” Madge countered. “I said I like him. He is exactly who he is. There isn’t a lot of phony business to cut through to get to Starbuck.” Madge squinted up at the sun. “I suppose some of it comes from the fact that we turned pro the same year,