by Elle James
“Twyla Stratton,” Tag said. “Computer programmer. She likes action-adventure movies, reading science fiction, can ballroom dance and ride horses. Twenty-eight years old, five-feet-six-inches tall, auburn hair and hazel eyes.”
“She’s pretty and intelligent. You have a common background in computing.” Everything Tag could want and more. Leslie’s heart constricted. “Sounds good. Worth a first date. What else have you got?”
“Chrissy Trent.” Tag squinted at the monitor. “Nurse. Likes old sports cars, runs marathons and triathlons. Loves children. Five-feet-three, blond hair, blue eyes and thirty-four years old.”
“She looks ripped,” Leslie said, wrapping her arm around her middle, feeling suddenly inadequate. Sure, she worked out, but not like that. Two miles was her limit when she went jogging. “You like to work out. I’m sure you’d find a lot in common. And she loves children.” Her heart slipped a little lower in her belly. “Next?”
“Anne Blanchard, technical writer. Loves the outdoors. Enjoys fishing, boating and being outside. Enjoys a good book and quiet nights. Five-feet-nine, brown hair, green eyes.”
“She’s tall,” Leslie pointed out. “And she loves fishing. You love fishing. And you love quiet nights at home, if I recall.” She leaned back. “All good. Who will you go out with first?”
“Might as well start at the top with Miss Stratton,” Tag said.
“Go ahead, contact her,” Leslie urged. “See if she wants to go out with you.”
“I didn’t think about that. They might not want to go out with me.” Tag brought up Twyla and drafted an email through BODS.
Hi, I’m Tag. BODS thinks we’re a match. Would you be interested in going out with me to see if BODS got it right?
“Is that all you have to say?” Leslie shook her head. “Seems so cold and uninviting.”
Tag shrugged. “She’s on BODS. She should know how it works.”
“Yeah, but you have to make her want to go out with you.”
“What?” Tag raised his eyebrows. “You wouldn’t go out with me after I sent an email like that?”
Again, she crossed her arms over her chest. “No. It was too impersonal. You didn’t say what you liked about her profile or what you found interesting about her.”
“Too late now. I’ll have to wait and see if she rejects me.” He nodded toward her monitor. “Let’s see who you have.”
Leslie frowned at the monitor. “Otis…Peebles?” She blinked several times. “Okay…Physicist. So, he’s smart. Reads science fiction and action adventure.” Leslie nodded. “Goes with the physicist thing.”
“He’s five-feet-seven.”
“Not a problem,” Leslie said. “I can still wear heels on a date.” She stared at his picture. “He looks nice enough.”
“Since your system generates a background check, you know he doesn’t have a criminal record. Neither did Jeffrey Dahmer, before he got caught…after killing all seventeen of those men.”
“Stop!” Leslie glared at him. “Not everyone is a serial killer.”
“True,” Tag said. “The problem is, they look like everyone else.”
“Seriously, you can’t go into this thinking killer.”
“And you can’t go out with just anyone. You might consider meeting your dates at a restaurant, rather than having them pick you up. That way, you don’t have to leave with them.”
Leslie stared at the nice-looking man on the screen, suddenly creeped out by the thought of him being a serial killer. “Good point. I’ll do that.”
“Are you going to go out with him?”
“I don’t see why not.” She shrugged. “I won’t know if he’s right for me until I meet him in person.”
“What? You don’t trust BODS to pick out your mate?” Tag chuckled.
“I do. I just think I’d like to meet him before I decide anything.” She clicked on the second man in the lineup.
Tag leaned over her shoulder. “Who’s next?”
Tag’s nearness caused all kinds of gooseflesh to rise on her arms. If she leaned back just a little, her back would rest against his hard chest. A shiver of desire rippled through her.
“Next?” Tag urged. “Earth to Leslie.”
Leslie gave her head a firm shake to snap out of the trance she was falling into. “Next.” She squinted at the screen. “Herman Lansing.”
“The Herman Lansing?” Tag asked.
She lifted a shoulder and let it drop. “That’s what the name says on the screen. Should I know him?”
“He’s only the wealthiest car dealership owner in all of Texas.”
“So?”
“So?” Tag threw his hand in the air. “A man like that has a ton of money. He’ll likely spend it on you.”
“I don’t care about his money. All I care about is his character. Is he nice? Does he care about people and animals?” She shot a glance toward Tag. “If he’s none of those things, I want nothing to do with him.”
“He’s into fitness,” Tag said. “He’s five-feet-ten and…” He leaned closer to stare at the photo of Herman. “And he’s bald.”
“Bald can be very attractive,” Leslie defended. She stared at the photograph of the smiling man with the shiny head. “Herman is very attractive. He seems confident and fit. I’m sure he’s a nice man.”
“Moving on,” Tag reached around Leslie and commandeered the mouse, clicking on the third candidate. “Milton Koch. Now, here’s an interesting man. He’s a thriller writer. Likes taking long walks in the woods. Loves to fish and loves nature.”
“Oh, my,” Leslie said. “He’s six-feet-five-inches tall.” She shook her head. “That makes him more than a foot taller than me.”
Tag chuckled. “Not only can you wear heels with him, you can wear platform heels.”
“Again,” Leslie said. “How tall or short a man is, does not matter. It’s what’s in his heart that counts.”
“At least, he doesn’t sound like a marathon runner. You won’t have a hard time keeping up with him if all he likes to do is walk in the woods,” Tag said.
He reached around her again, this time brushing her arm with his and sending a shock of awareness throughout her body.
“What about bachelor number four?” He clicked on the link and brought up the guy’s profile. “A Mr. Joe Fox.”
Leslie leaned closer, staring at the man’s photograph. “Oh my, that is an unfortunate picture of him.”
“Maybe he’s ashamed of his face,” Tag said. “Maybe he’s tragically pock-marked from a horrible case of acne as a teen. He doesn’t want you to know that until after you get to know him online.” He raised his hands. “I know. It doesn’t matter what he looks like, as long as he’s good to the last heartbeat.”
“Exactly.” She tried to focus on the photo, but it was just too blurry to make out the man’s face. “I bet he’s kind and considerate.”
“He’d have to be, with a face like his,” Tag said. “What does his profile say about him?”
Leslie read the data on the monitor. “He says he’s six-feet-two.”
“That’s tall,” Tag said.
“But not too tall,” Leslie said. “What else?”
“He likes horseback riding,” Tag said. “That’s got to make you happy.”
Leslie nodded. “I like riding horses.
“And horses don’t care what your face looks like,” Tag said.
“Tag,” Leslie said, her tone stern.
Tag grinned. “He likes walking in the rain and dancing cheek to cheek.”
“That sounds sweet,” Leslie said.
“Ha!” Tag said. “He likes dogs. He doesn’t say anything about liking cats.”
“That doesn’t mean he hates cats,” Leslie said.
“Trust me, most guys hate cats,” Tag said. “I bet he does, too.”
“That’s painting guys with a broad stroke.” Leslie shook her head. “I bet he likes cats. And he can’t be all bad. He likes to dance.” She smiled. “Not all g
uys like to dance.”
Tag crossed his arms over his chest. “Now, who’s painting guys with a broad stroke?”
Leslie frowned and leaned closer to the monitor. “It says here he wants to get to know me before we meet in person. He’s left his email address. That’s kind of nice. That way I can get to know him without committing to a one-on-one date.”
“Oh, yeah,” Tag nodded, “he’s definitely a serial killer.”
“Stop, already,” Leslie said. “He might be just as hesitant to meet someone new as I am. It’s hard to commit to a full-on date when you don’t know a person.”
Tag nodded. “Well, you can start at the top and work your way down the list.”
“At the same time, I can start at the bottom and initiate contact with Joe Fox. That way, while I’m getting to know the others on the list, I can get to know Joe.” She stared at the monitor. “Why does that name sound familiar?”
“Maybe he’s a TV news anchor. Or one of our local movie stars,” Tag said.
“Yeah, I don’t know where I know that name, but I feel like I do,” Leslie said. “I’m sure it will come to me. In the meantime, I’m gonna go ahead and respond to the first guy on the list and see if he’s ready to go on a date…I guess. Ugh. I’m so not ready for this.”
She rested her hand on the keyboard and tried to think of what to say to a complete stranger.
“It helps if you move your fingers,” Tag said with a grin.
“I’m thinking,” Leslie said. Nothing came to her. With a quick flourish of her fingers, she keyed:
Hi, I’m Leslie. BODS thinks we’re a match. Would you be interested in going out with me to see if BODS got it right?
Tag laughed out loud.
Leslie glared at him.
“It’s not easy typing a note to a stranger, is it?”
Leslie sighed. “I should have been more eloquent. I guess it’ll be tomorrow before we get a response from our prospective dates.”
A pinging sound erupted from her computer monitor.
Tag frowned and leaned over her shoulder. “Looks like you got a response, already.”
Leslie clicked the mouse to read the response from Otis.
I’m looking forward to meeting you. How’s tomorrow night sound?
Leslie’s heart raced, and her gaze met Tag’s. “What do I do? What do I do?”
Another ping sounded from Tag’s computer monitor.
Leaning over his arm, Leslie pointed at his screen. “Look, yours responded as well.” She touched his arm. “See what she said. See what she said.”
Tag snickered. “You realize you’re repeating yourself, don’t you?”
Leslie twisted her hands together. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I never do that. Go on. Go on. See what she said.”
Tag read Twyla’s message out loud.
You’re cute! And yes! I’m available tomorrow night.
“I guess she’s going along with your cryptic communications skills,” Leslie said.
“Or she’s used to texting in short sound bites,” Tag said.
“So, are you going?” Leslie asked, her breath catching in her throat. She hadn’t seen Tag go out on a date in…well…ever.
“Absolutely.” He grinned. “She says I’m cute.”
“Good grief,” Leslie shook her head. “It’s not all about looks. Doesn’t she understand that?”
Tag frowned. “Hey, don’t knock her. The woman has good taste.”
Leslie snorted. “You two deserve each other.”
Tag tipped his head toward her monitor. “Are you going out with Otis?”
“I guess so,” Leslie said, less than enthusiastic. “It’s too bad we can’t double date.”
Tag raised both hands, palms up. “Who said we couldn’t?”
“Wouldn’t that be weird?” Leslie asked.
“We could make it look like we’re just old friends who bumped into each other,” Tag suggested.
Leslie perked up. “Yeah, we could do that. I’d feel much more comfortable if I knew someone was there who had my back.”
“Same here,” Tag agreed. “Twyla thinks I’m cute. She might jump my bones.”
“Please tell me you’re not going to sleep with her on your first date,” Leslie said.
“Hey, give me a little credit,” Tag said. “I promise not to sleep with her…unless she asks me. In which case, I’ll go prepared.” He winked. “You know, shield the dagger and all.”
Leslie slapped his arm. “Eww. I’m going to pretend I didn’t just hear that.” She shook her head, a smile playing at the corner of her lips. “You’re such a jerk.”
Tag’s grin broadened. “A jerk who doesn’t pass up good opportunities. I guess the trick will be to find out where he’s taking you.”
“I’ll let you know as soon as I know. I’ll have to know where we’re going, if I’m going to meet him there with my own vehicle.”
“Right,” Tag said. “And you still have the tracking app on your phone, don’t you?”
“Yes, I do,” she said.
“Then I can keep track of you, if we get separated and he takes you off into the woods to do away with you.”
“Seriously, Tag. You’re not helping,” Leslie said. “I’m unsettled enough as it is.” She took a deep breath, her fingers hovering over her keyboard. She lowered them.
Okay. Tomorrow night is good. Where should we meet?
He responded immediately.
Leslie frowned. “He wants to meet at a steak house in Cedar Park.”
Tag’s brow dipped. “That’s northwest of Austin. As long as my date isn’t a vegan, we can do it. What time?”
“Kind of early. Six-thirty.”
“I’ll be there.” He keyed a message to Twyla and had a response back. “She’s all for steak, and she wants to meet me there.” He clapped his hands together and grinned. “Sounds like we’ve got dates for tomorrow night.”
Leslie wished she could be as excited as Tag. But she wasn’t. She’d rather go with him to the steak house and be relaxed and comfortable in his company. Instead, she’d be going out on her first date in practically forever, with a complete stranger named Otis.
Tag’s hand reached out and covered hers. “It’s going to be all right. One date is all you have to do with Otis. If he’s not right, you don’t have to see him again.”
“I know. It’s just…” She squeezed his hand. “I’m glad I have you to keep me sane.”
“And I’m glad I have you to help me vet my prospects,” He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed the backs of her knuckles.
Her heart skipped several beats, and then pounded hard against her ribs. His lips felt soft against her skin. She wondered what they would feel like pressed to her mouth.
“Are you hungry?” he asked, softly.
She licked her lips. “I am.”
“Wanna get something to eat?”
“I do,” she said, her gaze on his hand holding hers. Then her brain engaged. “No, wait. I can’t. I have a meeting tonight with GGC.”
“GGC?”
“The Good Grief Club.” Her lips twisted. “It’s a club some of my friends from grief counseling started to keep in touch with each other after the counseling ended. I’m meeting with them tonight.” She tipped her head toward the door. “Ava’s a member. And Coop’s Emma. Gage’s Fiona. She came to the grief therapy group with her father when she lost her mother. That’s how we all met. We’ve been together now for several years.”
As if he realized he was still holding her hand, Tag released it and rose to his feet. “Then I won’t keep you any longer. I’ll see you tomorrow night at the steak house in Cedar Park.”
Leslie nodded.
“Do you need me to do anything to shut down the computers?” Tag asked.
“No, thank you.” Leslie leaned across and logged him out of the application. “I’ll take care of everything.” She sighed and met his gaze. “See you tomorrow.”
Tag exited
the conference room, leaving Leslie alone.
She was just about to log out of her session of BODS when she remembered the fourth candidate, Joe Fox. Quickly, she entered a message.
Hi Joe,
I just wanted to say how refreshing it is to get to know someone via email before actually meeting in person. It helps to alleviate some of the anxiety of face-to-face introductions with perfect strangers.
I’ll be honest. I really didn’t think I was ready to jump back into the dating pool. You see, I’m a widow…not divorced nor a confirmed bachelorette. I knew what it was like to love someone with my whole heart. I’m afraid anything less will be second best. There, it’s out there. I thought you should know what you’re up against from the beginning. Not every man is willing to start a relationship in which he must live up to the example set by a ghost.
I’m not always sad, and I have learned to find happiness in every day. One thing that makes me happy is helping others. I love to sing whenever I can. I walk at least a couple of miles a day, and I like an occasional glass of wine. I’m just as happy in the country as I am in the city. Snakes, spiders and critters don’t scare me. So, if you love the outdoors, I’m okay with that. If you like sticking with city-life, I’m okay with that as well.
Anyway, I’ve rambled enough. I hope to hear from you. I’ll understand if you don’t respond.
Life is short. Have a beautiful day, filled with sunshine and joy.
* * *
Leslie
Before she could change her mind, she sent the message, logged out and turned off both computers. What was done was done. She was in BODS, and she had to see it through.
* * *
Leslie was five minutes late when she arrived at the coffee shop where the Good Grief Club met. She always looked forward to the bi-monthly meeting with the circle of friends who’d helped her get through one of the darkest times of her life. She hadn’t realized just how long it had taken to enter her profile and Tag’s into the BODS system, and then review hers and Tag’s matches. She’d pushed the speed limit in order to get to the meeting as close to on time as she could.
