by Elle James
Ava sighed. “Okay, so it’ll all be good for you. But what about your child? What if you have a boy? Who’s going to teach him how to play ball? Who’s going to take him fishing and wrestle with him on the floor.”
Leslie frowned. “I can do all that.”
Ava’s eyebrows shot up. “You can’t throw a baseball to save your life. I saw you try at the fair. You couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn.”
Leslie’s frown deepened. “I’ll practice.”
“What about football? What if your son wants to play football? If you think throwing a baseball is hard, have you ever thrown a football?”
“No,” Leslie admitted. “Again…I’ll learn. Or better yet, maybe I can get Tag to stand in on those occasions.”
Ava threw her hands in the air. “Tag has a life of his own. One day, he’ll find a woman to love, and he won’t have time to drop everything to come bail you out on your computer or your child.” Ava took her hands. “You need to think about this long and hard.”
Leslie’s jaw hardened. “I have. I set up an appointment with a fertility specialist. I’m going for my consultation in three weeks.”
Ava’s brow dipped. “Leslie, sweetie, I think you’re selling yourself short. Look at you. You have a successful matchmaking business. You preach the value of BODS to your clients. You made me give it a try to be able to sell it to others. Why don’t you give your own system a shot? See if you can go about this having a baby in the usual way…with a man you love and who can help you raise that child. Parenting is hard. Even on the good days. It helps to have someone to share the burden as well as the happiness.”
The ding of a bell sounded, indicating someone had entered the BODS office.
“Hello!” A deep, familiar voice called out.
“In Leslie’s office,” Ava called out.
Leslie’s face heated, and she squeezed Ava’s hands. “You’re not going to say anything to Tag about my appointment, are you?” she whispered.
Ava stared at her friend. “Are you going to give your system a try?”
Leslie bit her lip.
“Oh, my God,” Ava whispered harshly. “You built it, you sell it, but you don’t believe in it.”
Leslie shook her head, her gaze darting to the door. “Of course, I do.”
Ava dropped Leslie’s hands and crossed her arms over her chest. “Then put your money where your mouth is.”
Tag walked into Leslie’s office at that exact moment. His brow furrowed. “Who’s putting her money where her mouth is?”
“Leslie is,” Ava said. She narrowed her eyes at Leslie. “Isn’t that right?”
Leslie’s cheeks burned. “I didn’t say that.”
“To what are you referring to when you say she’s putting her money where her mouth is?” He gave Leslie a crooked smile.
“This whole BODS thing.” Ava flung out her arms. “She sells it to her clients, but she doesn’t really believe in it.”
Tag frowned. “Why are you saying she doesn’t believe in it?”
Ava answered for her. “She won’t try it for herself. If she really believed it works, she’d trust it to find her a mate.”
Tag’s frown eased into a grin. “I got the same lecture from my friends tonight. Can you believe it?”
Leslie let out a shaky laugh. “You did?”
He nodded. “Coop, Gage, Moose and Sean all ganged up on me and gave me an ultimatum.”
Leslie’s brow wrinkled. “An ultimatum?”
“They gave me a week to get on it, or they’d enter all my data for me.” He shook his head. “Can you imagine what they’d enter on my behalf?”
Leslie laughed. “I cringe just thinking about it. So, what are you going to do?”
He shrugged. “I guess I’m going to give it a go.”
Leslie’s chest tightened. She’d always known Tag would someday find someone to love. He was a great guy. Why he hadn’t married already was beyond her. But the thought of him dating someone else… Well, it didn’t sit right in her belly.
Ava clapped her hands. “I think that’s a great idea.”
“What’s a great idea?” Leslie asked.
Ava looked from Tag to Leslie and back to Tag. “You and Leslie can enter your data at the same time and compare notes as you review your potential dates.”
No. That was a terrible idea. Leslie started to shake her head.
“You know,” Tag said, “I think that’s a great idea. I’ve been hesitant to do this on my own. Having someone to help me evaluate and choose would be better than doing it alone. Two heads are better than one.” He grinned at Leslie. “Come on, Les. What do you say?”
“Don’t call me Les.” She pinched the bridge of her nose, trying to think of a way out of this horrible idea. “I don’t know. None of my clients have had help in the vetting process, and they’ve all found someone perfect for them by letting the system choose for them.”
“Yeah, but you and I are closer to the algorithms than most. It wouldn’t hurt to have a second set of eyes on the candidates BODS chooses.” Tag turned to Ava. “Am I right?”
Ava shrugged. “Sure. Anything to get my girl out on a date.”
“I’m game.” Tag cocked an eyebrow in Leslie’s direction.
“I don’t know if I’m ready,” Leslie said, shaking inwardly.
Tag took her hands in his. “It’s been four years since Randy passed. He died. You didn’t. I heard him when he told you to move on and find someone to share your life with.”
“He said that?” Ava asked.
Leslie stared up into Tag’s eyes. “He did.”
Ava flung her hands in the air. “Then what are you waiting for?”
Leslie sighed. “BODS is down. It’s not like we can jump in there and do it now.”
Tag squeezed her fingers gently. “Don’t worry. I’ll have it up and running in no time.”
“And while you two are working on getting your worlds in order, I have a date with Sean and Mica, and I’m late.” Ava left Leslie’s office, grabbed her purse from her desk drawer and hurried toward the exit. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” she called out and stopped in the doorway. “Strike that. Do something I wouldn’t do. Life’s an adventure. Live it!” And she was gone.
Leslie realized Tag still held her hands in his. She pulled hers free, heat climbing up her neck into her cheeks. Tag was her friend. Why was she suddenly shy around him?
“What exactly is BODS doing?” he asked, his eyebrows rising.
“Nothing. I can’t get it to come up. I’ve had several calls already from some of my remote clients. They can’t get in online.” She moved to her desk. “I can’t get in at all. It’s pretty much dead in the water.”
“Let me take a look at it,” Tag said. “I bet I can get it up and running in fifteen minutes.”
“If you do, I’ll take you to dinner.”
“You’re on.”
“And if you don’t?” She fisted her hands on her hips.
He winked. “I’ll take you to dinner.”
“Deal.” Leslie glanced at her watch. “It’s seven-fifteen.”
“I guess I’d better get on it.” Tag nodded to her computer. “Log on and enter your password.”
She did and stepped aside, brushing against him since he was standing so close. A rush of heat washed over her from the point their bodies connected. What was wrong with her?
“I’ll just work at Ava’s desk.” Leslie beat a hasty retreat to the outer office. “Let me know if there’s anything you need.”
“Will do. Fourteen minutes and counting,” he said and settled in at her desk, his fingers already flying across the keyboard.
Leslie was torn. On the one hand, she wanted him to get the BODS system up and running. On the other hand, that meant she’d have to enter her data and join the dating scene again.
Her insides quaked at the thought.
And the idea of Tag doing the same should have made her feel better in a misery-
loves-company way.
But it didn’t. Not at all.
Chapter 2
Tag found the issue with the BODS system in less than a minute, because he’d installed the glitch and set it up on a timer to shut down when it did. The timing couldn’t have been better. With his friends ganging up on him and issuing their ultimatum, the call from Leslie’s assistant, Ava, had come exactly when he’d needed an excuse to get away.
Actually, everything couldn’t have worked out better. Even Ava making the call had been better than Leslie doing it. Having Ava at the office when he got there helped goad Leslie into trying her own system, making Ava look pushy, not him.
He was gleefully aware of everything falling into place. Now, all he had to do was look busy for fifteen minutes, push the button that brought BODS back to life, take Leslie out to dinner and begin his campaign to win her over.
He’d waited four years for Leslie to work her way through the grieving process after the loss of her husband and Tag’s friend, Randy. Tag had been in love with Leslie since they’d met at Chance Montgomery’s cocktail party six years ago. Only he hadn’t been at a place in his life to make the commitment she’d needed. Randy had been there and made his move before Tag could. Because he’d loved them both, he’d stepped back, allowing Randy and Leslie the happiness they both deserved, all the while kicking himself for not letting her know how he felt.
After Randy had been diagnosed with cancer, Tag had realized that fate had played the right hand. Randy had needed Leslie to see him through to the end. Tag had been there as well, but Randy had died in Leslie’s arms. A life cut short by a horrible disease. How could Tag resent his friend for the time he’d had with Leslie? He couldn’t…and he couldn’t bring himself to move in on the widow as soon as Randy’s body was laid to rest.
No, Tag had been there for Leslie as her friend. A close friend. For four years.
Now that Leslie’s matchmaking business was up, running and successful, Tag hoped she’d remember that she still had a lot of good years left in her, and she deserved a little happiness in her life.
He hoped and prayed she’d find that happiness with him. Tag just had to show her the possibilities.
At exactly sixteen minutes from the moment they’d started the clock, Tag hit the button to reboot the BODS system. The Billionaire Online Dating System came right up, working exactly as Leslie had programed. “It’s up,” he called out.
Leslie came in and stood behind him, her hands on the back of her chair. “Oh, thank God,” she said and sagged against the chair. “I owe you, Tag. You’ve saved my butt more times than I care to count.”
“You don’t owe me anything,” he said. “In fact,” he glanced at his watch, “I owe you dinner. It’s been sixteen minutes.”
“One minute is no big deal. I’m still buying your dinner.”
He stood, shaking his head. “No way. A deal is a deal.”
“But I don’t feel right about you buying dinner when I’m sure your time is worth so much more than a meal. And I took you away from your friends.” She frowned. “Is it too late to rejoin them?”
Worst thought ever. “Way too late. I’m sure they’re back home with their significant others by now. Which leaves me on my own for dinner.” He tilted his head. “Are you trying to stand me up?”
Leslie laughed. “Not at all. I just don’t want to take up too much of your time.”
“Being with you is never taking up my time.” He hugged her shoulders like a good friend would when he’d rather take her into his arms and kiss her until they ran out of air in their lungs. Hopefully, that would come with time. He had a plan, and he’d stick to it. “What are friends for, if not to have someone to eat dinner with?”
She nodded. “Right.” Her frown returned. “I guess it is about time we both took BODS seriously for ourselves. When was the last time you had a date?”
Tag shrugged. “I don’t know.” He’d tried a couple of times. A shudder rippled through him. Those dates were disastrous. The primary problem was that the women weren’t Leslie.
“You work too much. And then you spend too much time helping me.” She clapped her hands together. “Well, that’s all going to stop now.”
“What do you mean?” He wasn’t sure where she was going with this, and he wasn’t happy about her train of thought.
“I mean, you and Ava were right. It’s not a bad idea to have a second set of eyes on the candidates. It’s been a long time since either one of us had a date. Screening could be a nightmare. I’ll help you, and you can help me. Maybe we will come up with the perfect match for each other. Ready to test that theory now?”
Tag shook his head. “I’d rather wait until tomorrow. I’m starving. I’m sure you haven’t had anything to eat since breakfast. Am I right?”
She reached into her desk for her purse. “I had a handful of almonds. Does that count?”
“Nope. You need real food.”
“What do you consider real food?” she asked as they walked through the office.
“I have just the place in mind.” He glanced at her gray suit and frowned. “Don’t worry. I think they have bibs.”
“Bibs?” Leslie’s brow furrowed. “Where are you taking me?”
“Don’t you worry. I know how to treat a lady. Since I’m treating, I get to choose.” He took the keys from her hand, locked the door to the office and slid the keys into her purse. “Ready?”
“I think,” she said, her brow twisting.
He held out his arm. “We probably should brush up on our dating skills. If we want to do this right, we have to know the rules.”
“There are rules?” she asked as they headed for the elevator.
“Not anything written.” He tilted his head. “Maybe we should co-author a book on the rules of dating. I’m sure there a lot of people out there just like us who haven’t been out in a while and could use some guidance.”
Leslie laughed as they rode the elevator down to the parking garage.
Tag liked it when she laughed. “You should laugh more often,” he said. “Rule number one: your date should make you laugh.”
Leslie grinned. “And not because he’s dressed like clown.”
When the elevator door opened, Tag led Leslie to his truck parked nearby. “Unless he’s actually a clown for a rodeo. Those guys are truly badass. I have huge respect for rodeo clowns. They save lives.”
Leslie nodded. “Good point. Laugh if he’s dressed as a clown, and he works for a rodeo.”
“Right. Work is work. An employed man is golden.” He held the door and handed her up into the vehicle.
“Agreed,” she said, a grin slipping across her face. “You always make me laugh.”
“And I don’t even need a clown suit to do it.” He winked and closed the door.
Tag drove away from downtown Austin toward one of his favorite restaurants. Not a high-class, expensive place but one he knew she would love.
“Rudy’s Barbeque?” Leslie shook her head smiling. “I haven’t been to Rudy’s for…I don’t know how long it’s been. Probably since you, Randy and I came to celebrate the purchase of our office building in downtown Austin.”
“I remember how much you enjoyed the ribs,” Tag said.
Leslie laughed. “I needed to be hosed down after eating.”
Tag glanced at her suit. “Like I said, I think they have bibs.”
“Bibs? I need coveralls.” Despite the idea of drenching herself in barbecue sauce, Leslie quickly unbuckled her seatbelt. “I like the pepper flavor of their barbecue sauce better than any sweet ones.”
“I like the pepper, too,” Tag said. “Something we have in common.”
Leslie cast a sad glance his way. “Randy liked the sweet sauces.”
“Yes, he did.” Another reason he’d brought Leslie to Rudy’s. He wanted her to enjoy the meal and to note the differences between him and Randy.
“Let me get your door.” Tag leaped out of the truck and rounded the f
ront in time to help Leslie down.
“I can get down all by myself, you know,” she insisted, pulling her arms out of her suit jacket.
“I know.” He gripped her around her waist and helped her to the ground. God, she felt good in his arms. “Rule two: let your date open doors for you and help you out of his vehicle. If he doesn’t, he’s not good enough for you.”
Leslie’s hands rested on Tag’s chest. “Good thing you know all the rules. Your dates are going to love you.”
There was only one date he wanted loving him. And she was standing in front of him, close enough to kiss. As if his body had a mind of its own, it swayed forward.
Leslie’s eyes widened just enough to remind him he was to take it slowly. She had to come to the realization that she loved him on her own.
Tag reached around her to adjust the jacket she’d removed to keep it from falling out of the truck. Then he straightened and stepped backward. “Ready for some good old-fashioned barbecue?”
She ran her tongue across her lips.
It was all Tag could do not to groan.
“I am,” she whispered. “The hotter the better.”
His pulse quickened. He took her hand and walked her into the diner where they stood in line to make their order and waited for the cooks to prepare and deliver their food wrapped in butcher paper. Because they’d ordered ribs, the clerk at the counter handed them two bibs to go with their meals, as well as foil-packaged wipes for cleanup afterward.
Leslie slid onto a bench and tied the bib around her neck. She pulled a hair clamp out of her purse and secured her hair back from her face.
“You would have made a good Boy Scout,” Tag said. “Always prepared.”
“I take my barbecue seriously.” She winked, rolled up her sleeves and bit into her first rib. Leslie closed her eyes and moaned.
Tag’s groin tightened. “Good?”
She opened her eyes and gave him a saucy smile. “Amazing. I didn’t realize just how hungry I was.”
With a grin, Tag dug into his ribs.
Thirty minutes later, their fingers and faces were covered in sauce.
Leslie ripped open one of the wipes and worked on her hands and face. She still had a little bit on her nose.
