by Elle James
“You had plenty of time to work with Leslie getting the rest of us involved in relationships. It’s about time you worked on you.” Coop paused. “Is Leslie going to help you like she helped us get set up?”
“That’s the plan.” Tag glanced at the clock. “I’m at her office building right now, about to go up and enter my data.”
“And you called me for moral support?” Coop chuckled. “All I have to say is BODS worked for me. As far as I can tell, it worked for Gage, Sean and Moose, as well. You’ve got nothing to lose.”
Oh, he had a lot to lose, if Leslie chose another man over him. Again.
“Look, Tag,” Coop said. “The best thing you can do is to enter the truth about yourself. BODS will come up with your perfect match. Trust the system to get it right.”
“Thanks, man. I’ll let you know how it goes.”
“Good. I’m anxious to meet the future Mrs. Bronson.”
“Gotta go,” Tag said. “Thanks for your support.”
“Anytime.”
Tag ended the call and slipped out of his truck at exactly five minutes before he was due to show up in Leslie’s office. The ride up the elevator was short with no stops along the way to delay his arrival.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Bronson,” Ava greeted him as he stepped into the office.
Tag shook his head. “Ava, you know me. You don’t have to be all formal.”
She grinned. “I know. It’s just that you’re here to use the BODS system. You’re a client now, not just a friend.” She rounded the corner of her desk and gave him a hug. “Don’t be apprehensive about this part of the journey. It’s easy.”
“That’s right,” Tag said. “You’ve done this before.”
She nodded. “I have. If not for BODS, I might never have learned Sean was my perfect match. Not only my match as a date, but as a father to Mica.” She smiled. “We couldn’t be happier.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” He hugged her back. “Sean loves you and Mica. It’s pretty obvious.”
“And we love him.” She waved a hand toward a hallway. “Leslie asked me to show you into the conference room where you two will be working to enter your profiles and start the process.”
“Where’s Leslie?”
“She’s in her office, talking to a client. She’ll be right with you.” Ava opened a door and walked into the conference room where two computer monitors and keyboards were set up for their use. “I think I’m more excited about her giving her system a try than she is,” Ava said.
“Is she nervous?”
Ava laughed. “Terribly.”
“Why? She doesn’t have to go out with anyone she doesn’t want to.”
“I know that, and she knows that, but it’s been a long time since she’s been on a date.”
His lips twisting, Tag nodded. “Tell me about it.”
Ava cocked an eyebrow. “You, too?”
“Yeah,” Tag said. “I’ve been pretty busy with my work.” Getting all the right people in the right place to manage his businesses and allow him the time he needed to woo the woman he loved.
“Let me get the application up.” She started to take the seat behind the keyboard.
“No need,” he said. “I’m pretty familiar with the system.”
Ava laughed. “That’s right. You helped Leslie get it up and running. Silly me.” She held out the chair. “Then I’ll leave you to it. I believe Leslie’s already entered some of her data. She said something about helping you with yours.”
“I’ll get started, and she can help when she’s ready. Thanks.”
Ava left the room, closing the door behind her.
Tag sat in the seat in front of one of the monitors, clicked on the mouse and brought up the initial data entry screen.
What he hadn’t told Leslie was that he’d entered data anonymously, bypassing her background checks. He’d also entered a blurred image that would make it impossible for her to know it was him.
The name he’d used was one he’d picked up from a romantic comedy his mother and sisters had forced him to watch with them when he was a kid—the movie, You Got Mail, about a man and a woman who met online and fell in love through their messages. He’d chosen the lead character’s name, Joe Fox, as his alternate ego name on the BODS systems and manipulated the data to get around the background checks.
As soon as Leslie had all her data and preferences entered, Tag would match her preferences and start an online conversation with her while she was going through her dates. He liked the idea of her falling in love with the man behind the curtain. When the time came, he’d reveal himself as her online pen pal.
It all sounded like a good plan. He just hoped he had enough time to build the relationship before she found someone else through BODS matching algorithms.
Tag drew in a deep breath. No matter what happened, he hoped Leslie found love. She deserved to be happy. He prayed it would be with him.
To maintain a modicum of privacy, he entered his nickname into the system as Tag Bronson. The only people who called him Tag were his BAC friends, their ladies and Leslie. The media knew Taggert Bronson as the Texas billionaire and one of the most eligible bachelors in the state. He didn’t want any of his dates to be with groupies who were only after his money. He didn’t want the press to create a media circus out of his experimental dating.
Once he had his primary data entered, he dove into his preferences.
Must love dogs.
Must like the outdoors.
Must like steak. No vegans, please.
Ability to ride horses preferred, not required. He could teach that.
“Must love ballroom dancing,” a voice said behind him.
Tag looked up into Leslie’s smiling face, and his heart flipped over several times. “I didn’t hear you come in,” he said.
“I’m stealthy like that,” she said with a wink and took the seat beside him. “I started entering my preferences but got stuck. It appears I don’t know myself as well as I’d like to think I do.”
“I can help you with that,” he said. “Bring yours up. While you wait for your profile to boot, you can help me with mine.”
She clicked the mouse and entered her login and password. While she waited, she turned to his monitor. “Favorite color?” she asked. “Isn’t it blue?”
Tag nodded. “And yours is yellow. You love sunshine.”
She nodded. “I do so love sunshine.”
“As much as you love sunshine,” Tag said, “you enjoy walking in the rain, as long as you don’t have to be anywhere that your hair matters.”
Leslie laughed. “Right. And you love the rain because it means fresh grass for your horses.”
“Speaking of horses, don’t forget to mark that you ride. That might impress your prospects.” He waved toward her monitor. “Your profile just came up.”
“Good,” she said and quickly scrolled to the preferences page. “Yellow for favorite color. Rides horses.”
“Loves dancing,” Tag reminded her.
“Favorite flower,” Leslie paused.
“Bluebonnets,” Tag said. “You love the bluebonnets in the spring.”
“That’s right.” Leslie sat back, a smile curling her lips. “Remember the time we drove out to Enchanted Rock and almost didn’t make it in time to hike to the top?”
“We stopped so many times for you to take pictures of the bluebonnets and Indian paintbrushes along the side of the road, it was late afternoon before we got to the base of Enchanted Rock.”
“Randy almost called off our hike,” Leslie said.
“I’m glad he didn’t,” Tag said. “The hike was great, and the view from the top was amazing.”
Leslie stared at the monitor, her hands in her lap. “Thankfully, we got down before it was too dark to navigate the boulders.”
“I remember we were so hungry, we stopped at that little German café on the way back and had wiener schnitzel and beer.”
“You and Randy drank too m
uch beer, and I ended up driving us all home.” Leslie glanced toward him. “That was the month before Randy was diagnosed.” She sighed. “I’m glad we went. It made for good memories. We were all happy then.”
Tag remembered. He hadn’t been married to Leslie, but he’d still enjoyed her company, and he couldn’t begrudge his best friend’s happiness. Though he’d been a third wheel on the trip, he was still glad he’d gone. He’d loved Randy, too. As a brother.
“Must love cats,” Leslie entered.
“Cats?” Tag shook his head. “Since when do you love cats?”
“I’ve always loved cats. Randy wouldn’t let me have one in the house,” Leslie said. “He said he was allergic. I think he just didn’t like them.”
Tag made a note to include cats as a preference for his alter ego. He didn’t have a problem with cats, but he preferred dogs.
“What about dogs?”
“Must love dogs. But most men do,” Leslie shook her head. “Unfortunately, cats can be a deal-breaker for some men. I want my man to be open to felines.”
“Fair enough,” Tag said. “I like cats, especially the ones that live in my barn and keep the mouse population down.”
“See? That’s what I love about you,” she said. “You’re open to the possibilities.”
Whew, Tag thought. He’d dodged the cat bullet.
“Preferences in looks…” Leslie stared at the screen. “I really don’t think looks matter all that much. It’s what’s on the inside that I care about.”
“What if he’s bald?” Tag ran a hand through his thick hair.
Leslie’s gaze followed his hand. “I think most bald men look sexy.”
“Eye color?”
She shook her head. “Doesn’t matter to me.”
“In shape?”
“Again,” she touched a hand to her chest, “it’s what’s inside that matters.”
“You have to narrow it down a little. You know the way this system works.” Tag frowned. “Age?”
“Okay, he has to be at least twenty-eight, but I don’t mind if he’s older than I am,” Leslie said. “Older, more mature men can be very sexy.”
“Over eighty?”
She smiled. “I’m willing to give it a shot. My grandfather was a very handsome and spry eighty-year-old.”
“You’d date your grandfather?” Tag asked, wrinkling his nose.
Leslie sighed. “I don’t know. What matters is, that he’s kind to animals and people, and that he likes to travel. I don’t mind if he drives fast, as long as he’s considerate on the highway. No road rage. Austin has some serious traffic issues. I couldn’t stand to be stuck in a vehicle with a man who blows a gasket every time he’s met with a delay in traffic.”
Tag raised a hand. “That rules out a lot of guys, including me.”
Leslie laughed. “You never get mad.”
“Not with you in the vehicle.” He winked. “I don’t get mad. It doesn’t get me there any faster. If I want to be somewhere at a certain time, I consider the time of day and the traffic patterns.”
Tag turned to his monitor and clicked the keyboard. “Must love driving in the country.”
“Right?” Leslie chuckled. “Any time I can get outside of the city, I’m happy.”
“Me too.”
Leslie turned to her monitor. “Likes to cook.”
“I can grill a mean steak and chicken breast,” Tag said. “Likes to stay home and watch old movies.”
“I love old movies,” Leslie said. “They have some of the best dialogue.”
“I was thinking about the old westerns,” Tag drawled.
“Even those had good dialogue,” Leslie said. “I love a good Hepburn and Tracy movie.” She sighed. “But I don’t just like the oldies. I like a good action adventure or superhero movie. They’re just fun.”
“I remember you loved the latest Avengers movie,” Tag said.
She nodded. “Thanks for taking me. You always seem to know just what I need in the way of entertainment. I think I was feeling down that day. The movie was just what I needed to lift my spirits.”
Tag dipped his head. “Glad I could help.”
Leslie’s mouth twisted. “I feel so comfortable going to a movie with you. It won’t be the same with a stranger. I’d feel awkward if he put his arm around me.”
“True,” he said. “I never know if holding hands on a first date is too much too soon, or not enough too late.” Tag chuckled. “And do I kiss her on the first date, or wait for the second or third date?”
Leslie snorted. “Some women would go for the whole enchilada on the first date.” She frowned. “That doesn’t mean you have to.”
He held up his hands. “I don’t plan on it. This is supposed to be an effort to find a life mate, not a one-night stand, right?”
She nodded. “That’s right. Although some people are only looking for a date. That was Sean and Ava. They only wanted a decent date and look what they got. The whole package.” She sighed. “They’re perfect for each other.”
Tag covered her hand on the mouse. “You’re going to find someone perfect for you, too.”
She turned her hand over beneath his and squeezed. “I had someone perfect for me. What are the chances of finding it a second time?”
“I believe he’s out there. He just might not look like Randy. He might have different but equally appealing qualities. You just have to let Randy go and quit comparing all men to him.” He lifted her hand and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. “I get it. He was a great guy, but he’s gone. You have a big heart, capable of a whole lotta love. Let yourself love again.” He kissed her knuckles again, and then let go of her hand. “Let’s get done here. I want to find out who BODS is going to set you up with.”
Leslie stared at him a little longer before she turned to the monitor, positioned her fingers on the keyboard and went back to work.
Minutes later, Tag hit the enter key and sat back. “For what it’s worth, I’m done.”
Leslie nodded and hit the enter key herself. “And so am I.” She drew in a deep breath and held it for a moment before letting it out slowly. “I have to admit, I’m a little scared.”
Tag laughed. “So am I.”
“You are?”
He nodded. “Just think, this could be our last first dates.”
“I hadn’t thought of that,” Leslie said. “That sounds kind of final.”
“It also means that it might be the last time we get to go out to dinner together or to a movie, just you and me.” Tag gave her a crooked grin. “I think I’ll miss that the most.”
“What do you mean?” Leslie frowned. “You’re not going anywhere, are you?”
“No, but if we find someone else, that someone might not understand us going out together…without them.”
Leslie looked down at her keyboard. “You’ve always been there. Even after Randy and I married. He didn’t mind it when you came with us to the movies. We were all friends.”
“Not every woman or man will see it that way.” He held up his hands. “Just saying. But no use borrowing trouble. We have yet to find a date.”
As if on cue, Tag’s computer beeped. Leslie and Tag turned to his monitor.
“BODS has found several matches for you,” Leslie said, her voice little more than a whisper.
Tag’s hand hovered over the mouse.
Leslie’s computer beeped.
Tag and Leslie’s gazes switched to her monitor.
Leslie’s face paled. “I’m not ready for this.”
“It won’t hurt to see who BODS thinks your perfect match is,” Tag said. “You don’t have to date any of them.” In the back of his mind, he hoped she wouldn’t date them. But then she had to find his alter ego and start up a conversation with him. The others would only be people she could compare him against.
She glanced at him, her eyes wide.
“Come on, we can do this,” he said. “On three… One… Two… Three.” He pressed the enter key at the
same time as Leslie. As the monitor blinked, Tag held his breath, praying his plan had worked.
Three profiles came up on Tag’s monitor. He shot a glance toward Leslie’s monitor. Four profiles came up on hers. Otis Peebles, Herman Lansing and Milton Koch. The last name on the list was Joe Fox.
He let go of the breath he’d been holding. The first phase of his plan had been initiated. His alter ego was one of her candidates, even if his real profile hadn’t come up. Now, all she had to do was make contact.
Chapter 4
Leslie’s hand shook as she cradled the mouse. “Four.” She swallowed hard. “That’s a lot.”
“Make sure you give all four a chance. BODS matched you for a reason.”
She leaned over and glanced at his screen. It was easier to concentrate on Tag’s matches than on hers.
“I only have three,” Tag said.
“Three is better. Less to compare with.”
“With my friends, they only had one each. Why so many with us?” Tag asked.
“Because there are more people in the system now,” Leslie said. Now, she was wishing she’d done this sooner when there weren’t so many. Four was a lot. She shuddered.
“I thought you vetted all your clients,” Tag said.
“I run them through a background check before they can go live. They can enter a fake name, but they are required to enter their real one for the background check. I understand how some don’t want their real names used right away. Especially if they’re very rich. That’s the purpose of BODS—to find matches for wealthy clients when their prospective dates don’t have any idea of the value of their checking accounts or stock portfolios. And I check that they aren’t already married. That was a big deal. I don’t want my clients getting involved in extra-marital affairs because they trusted my system.”
“Good thinking.” He looked at her monitor. “So, who’ve you got, and what are you going to do with them?”
“I thought we’d go through yours first,” she said with a smile. “Since your list is shorter.” Her smile turned to a grimace. “I’m really procrastinating, but that’s to your benefit.”
“Okay, but we have to save time to go over your prospects, too,” he said.
“We will,” she promised. There was no getting out of it, now that she’d committed to testing the waters of the dating pool. “Who’s first up?”