by Elle James
“I don’t know. It’s a beautiful day, and the view is amazing.”
“I hiked up with Ironman Lansing,” she whined. “I thought I was going to die of a heart attack by the time we got to the top.” She rolled her eyes. “And he slowed down for me.”
Tag chuckled and sat in front of her. “Here, let me.” He brushed her hands aside and massaged her calf, digging his fingers into the muscles, gently at first, and then harder as he worked out the stiffness. “You should have gone at your own pace.”
“I thought I was, but he had to stop so many times, I felt bad.” She watched as his hand worked at the muscle, wishing he would apply the same massage technique to her entire body.
In bed. Naked.
Her cheeks heated at the thought. Afraid he’d see her lusty thoughts in her eyes, she shifted her gaze to Chrissy and Herman talking nonstop with each other as they walked across the broad dome of Enchanted Rock.
“What’s with Chrissy? Is she also into marathons and triathlons?” Leslie asked.
Tag’s mouth twisted. “As a matter of fact, she is.”
“How could BODS get this so wrong? I am not into running for miles and miles. Two miles is my limit. Even then, I’m huffing and puffing.” She shook her head. “I have to get in better shape.” She frowned at him. “And why aren’t you breathing hard?”
“I work outside a lot on my ranch. I guess it’s enough to keep me in shape.” He looked away. “And I have a home gym when the weather is bad.”
“That’s it. I’m joining a gym.” Leslie lay back on the granite. “Right after I eat my way through an entire pizza by myself and get a helicopter to bring me down off this rock.”
“Are you hungry?” Tag asked.
She looked up. “Starving.” Leslie held up the granola bar Herman had handed her. “This was his idea of lunch.”
Tag chuckled. “I’m afraid I wasn’t thinking healthy. I brought a bag full of fried chicken, and my date is vegan. Want some?”
“God, yes,” she said, sitting up with renewed enthusiasm.
He opened the bag and let her choose her poison.
Leslie selected a breast and bit into the greasy, salty mess, moaning softly. “I was so hungry. The granola bar wasn’t going to do it for me,” she said around the bite in her mouth.
“Glad I could be of assistance.” He selected a drumstick and dug in. “I tried to be on time, but Chrissy couldn’t locate her running shoes. She finally found them beneath a gym bag she’d left in the back of her car last night.”
“Better late than never,” Leslie said. “Especially since you came bearing gifts.” She grinned over her huge piece of chicken. “Thank you.”
For the next few minutes, Leslie filled her belly, thankful for the food to keep her from having to come up with conversation.
When she’d had enough, she sighed and wiped her hands on a sanitary wipe Tag’d had the foresight to bring along with the chicken. “You thought of everything,” she said.
“Not everything,” he said with a grimace. “I didn’t think to ask Chrissy if she liked fried chicken. I assumed everyone did.”
Leslie tipped her head toward Chrissy and Herman. “I think I need to be more specific when I say I like the outdoors. I like it in a stroll-through-the-park way, or a let’s go for a leisurely trail ride on well-trained horses kind of way. I don’t feel like I have to beat my record every time I climb to the top of a hill.”
“It’s admirable to stretch your limits,” Tag said.
“I do that every day with my brain. I don’t feel like I have to do it with my body.” She rubbed her calf and flexed her toes. “And we still have to get down off this rock.”
Tag nodded toward Chrissy and Herman heading their way. “Think we’ve matched another pair?”
Leslie smiled. “Yes. I need to review the code in BODS. That’s the second time it’s missed for both of us.”
“Do you get the feeling it’s testing us?” Tag said.
Leslie looked up at him, her eyes narrowing. “For what?”
“To see if we’re really ready. Maybe it’s giving us matches that are off just a little, working our way through a few to get to the right one.”
“It’s a computer program, not artificial intelligence.” She shook her head. “If that were the case, your next match would be your perfect match.”
“And Bachelor Number Four would be yours.” He met her gaze. “Maybe we should have skipped to the last.”
Leslie didn’t get a chance to respond to his statement before Chrissy and Herman joined them. The two runners shared stories about some of the events they’d participated in as they ate granola bars and drank water. Though they tried to include Leslie and Tag in the conversation, if it didn’t have to do with running, biking or swimming, they weren’t that interested.
At one point, Tag asked Chrissy if she’d ever been to a Comic Con. Her brow had wrinkled as she shook her head. “Never. That kind of thing doesn’t interest me.”
“How about you, Herman?” Leslie asked.
“I wouldn’t mind going just to see what it’s like, but I’ve been to so many automobile conventions, it just gets old. I prefer to be outside, rather than surrounded inside a convention hall.”
Leslie nodded, finally finding something they could agree on.
When the granola bars were consumed and the wrapping safely stowed in Herman’s backpack, Herman glanced down at Leslie. “Ready to head back down?”
She nodded. “But don’t wait on me. I’ll be taking my time.” She held out her hand. “It’s been a pleasure. Thank you for suggesting Enchanted Rock. It gave me a reason to visit.”
“I don’t want to leave you alone,” Herman said.
“I can go down with her,” Tag said. He glanced at Chrissy. “If you don’t mind. Or you can go down with Herman, if we’re too slow.”
Chrissy looked from Tag to Leslie. “Are you sure? I’ll wait for you at the bottom.”
Herman stepped up beside her. “You’re from Austin, aren’t you?”
The brunette nodded. “I am.”
Herman faced Tag. “I can get her home, if you two are going to be a while.”
Tag chuckled. “You two seem to be hitting it off better with each other than with us.” He held up a hand when Chrissy and Herman shook their heads. “It’s not going to hurt my feelings.”
“Nor mine,” Leslie said. “I’m just glad you two have so much in common. And since I drove, I’ll be driving myself home anyway.
“If Chrissy doesn’t mind, I don’t mind,” Tag said.
“Great.” Chrissy grinned. She held out her hand to Tag. “Thank you for suggesting this outing. I had a great time.”
“You’re welcome.” Tag gave her a crooked grin. “It was nice to meet you both.”
Chrissy and Herman hurried away, leaving Tag and Leslie to make their way slowly down the dome to the trail leading back to the parking lot. Tag helped Leslie over the big boulders by lending a hand when she needed one or gripping her around the waist and lowering her to the trail beside him.
Every time he touched her, she was reminded of the night before and how Tag had backed away when she’d clearly indicated she wanted to make love with him. Her libido had been charged and ready. Tag must have had second thoughts. He was back to being the friend he’d always been. She bet if she tried to kiss him again, he’d be appalled.
When they reached their vehicles, there was no sign of Herman and Chrissy.
Leslie faced Tag, her heart hurting for what couldn’t be. She was willing, but they both had to be on board to make it happen. Tag clearly wasn’t on the same path. She held out her hand. “Well, thank you for being here. I’m sure I would have been fine with Herman. He seemed very nice. Not for me, but nice.”
Tag gripped her hand. “I’m glad we were able to connect him and Chrissy. They seemed made for each other,” Tag said. He stared at his hand wrapped around hers. Then he pulled her into a hug. “As always, it’s good to b
e with you.” He held her for a short moment, and then set her at arms’ length, dropping his hands to his side. “I’ll follow you back to Austin.”
“That’s not necessary,” she said.
“I have to get there anyway. I might as well.” He waved a hand toward her SUV.
Leslie didn’t like the way their day was ending. She didn’t want to say goodbye. Not yet. She wanted to be with Tag so much it hurt. How could she remain friends with the man when she wanted to be more than friends? “Do you have plans for dinner?” she blurted.
He shook his head. “No.”
“I make a mean lasagna,” she said. “I can never finish the whole thing by myself. Could you help a girl out and come to dinner?”
“You know, I haven’t had your lasagna in forever.” He nodded. “I’d like that.”
Her heart swelled. “Okay. I have most of the ingredients at the house. I only have to stop for one or two items.”
“I’ll help you. I can pick the wine.”
She smiled. Really happy for the first time that day.
On the drive to Austin, Tag called her on her cellphone. Using the handsfree option on their vehicles, they talked about BODS, the wedding and their first two dates all the way back. He had her laughing and joking like old times.
A quick stop at the grocery store was accomplished by a dash through the aisles for ingredients and wine. Leslie couldn’t remember having more fun shopping for groceries than she had that day with Tag.
By the time they reached her house, she had built up her hopes that he would stay for dinner, and then for breakfast the next morning. It was a lot to hope for, given how he’d left the night before, but Leslie couldn’t help it. She wanted Tag to stay so badly, she would will it to happen.
What better way to please a man, than through his stomach first? And then…
Chapter 12
Tag carried the bag of groceries and wine into the house and set them on the counter. He hadn’t planned on coming to dinner at Leslie’s house. He’d wanted to give her more time to think about what she wanted in a man, and then come to the obvious conclusion that man was him. He still wasn’t sure she was ready for the next step, but he told himself they didn’t have to go there tonight.
She needed at least one more date to know for sure. He’d bring it up after dinner. In the meantime, he would enjoy being with her. And by being with her, he’d show her that he could be everything she wanted and needed.
When she went out with Bachelor Number Three, she’d know he wasn’t right for her.
Together, they cooked the meat, mixed in the tomato sauce and all the spices. Tag got a pot of lasagna noodles boiling and made every opportunity he could to reach around Leslie he could, brushing his arms against hers and touching her hands to trade spoons and spatulas. By the time the lasagna was baking in the oven, he was so aroused he had to sit at the table to hide it.
“When are you going to go out with your next date?” he asked.
The smile she’d worn since they’d left the grocery store slipped. “I hadn’t even thought about it.”
“You shouldn’t let today make you hesitate,” he said.
“I don’t know. I’m beginning to think BODS isn’t working.”
“Consider it one more beta test. If your next date as equally disastrous, you’ll know you need to tweak the code.”
Her lips twisted into a grimace. “I really don’t know if I’m up to another date so soon.”
“Think of it as an adhesive bandage.”
Her brow furrowed. “You mean, like, I know it’s going to hurt so I should just rip it off?” Leslie laughed. “You’re not making a good case for me to go on my next date. And what about you? When are you going to go out with your third match?” She cocked an eyebrow in challenge.
He held up his phone. “I’ll do it right now,” he said. “And you?”
She sighed. “Fine, but only because I want to beta test BODS.” She checked the oven timer, then hurried out of the kitchen. She was back a minute later with her laptop. In seconds, she had BODS up. “I think you had a point about skipping to the end. I think since you’re at your last match, I’m going to skip to mine.”
Tag frowned. She wasn’t heading the direction he’d expected. “Are you sure you want to skip past Milton? He might be the one.”
She shook her head. “No, I think I’ve had enough. One more is all I’m going for.”
“I thought number four didn’t want to meet right away.”
“He didn’t, but it’s about time we met.” She clicked away on her keyboard.
Tag turned away so that she couldn’t see what he was doing on his cellphone. He brought up the BODS application in time to see her message come across. He opened it and quickly read it.
Joe,
I think it’s time we met.
Leslie
* * *
It wasn’t part of his plan, but he could make this work. He responded.
Leslie,
I agree. How does Friday work for you?
Joe
* * *
Leslie looked up and frowned. “He wants to meet on Friday.”
Tag shrugged. “Sounds good. I’m sure I can make it work with my date.”
“That’s not good,” Leslie said. “I want to get this over with.”
“What are you thinking?” Tag asked, feeling guilty that he was playing her. He hoped she wouldn’t be mad when she finally learned he was Joe.
Leslie shook her head. “The sooner the better.” She bent to her keyboard, her fingers clicking furiously.
Joe,
Friday doesn’t work for me. Could you make it Monday night?
Leslie
* * *
Tag fought a grin. “What did you tell him?”
“I want Monday night. I hope he goes for it.”
* * *
Leslie,
Wednesday would be better. If that’s good for you, I’ll meet you at Rosa’s Patio at seven o’clock.
Joe
* * *
Leslie frowned.
* * *
“Is he going for it?” Tag asked, knowing full well he was pushing her to Wednesday.
“No. He wants Wednesday and to meet at Rosa’s Patio at seven o’clock.”
“I like that place. Their margaritas are the best,” Tag said. “I’ll see if my date can do the same.”
“I guess it’ll be okay.” Leslie’s frown deepened. “Problem is, I don’t know what he looks like.” She tapped away on her keyboard again.
* * *
Wednesday is good. How will I know you? I don’t have a clear photo to go by.
Leslie
* * *
“With a name like Joe Fox, he’ll probably have a red rose at the table,” Tag said as he tapped his screen with his response. “My date is on for Wednesday.”
* * *
Leslie,
I’ll be the man with a yellow rose lying on the table.
Joe
* * *
Leslie glanced up, her brow furrowed. “He’s going to have a yellow rose. What does that mean?”
“Why does the color have to mean anything?” Tag asked. He’d picked the color to be something different than the red he’d teased about. He spoke to his phone. “Siri, what are the meanings for the colors of roses?”
His cellphone came back with a webpage displaying the colors of roses and their meanings. He leaned close to Leslie with the display and enlarged the image. “Yellow roses mean welcome back.”
Her frown deepened.
Tag scrolled down a little farther, breathed a sigh and pointed. “And it also means new beginnings.”
Her frown eased. “New beginnings. Okay, I guess that’s okay. Not that I plan on starting anything with Joe. I’m over this matchmaking BODS came up with. I have to work on the software. I hate to think it might be this far off on other matches, besides ours.”
“I’m sure it’s okay. Look at our friends,” Tag
said. “They’re ecstatic.”
Leslie smiled. “They are, aren’t they?”
“And look at the people we matched up on our first two dates. They were perfect for each other.”
“I’ll have to see if they would have been matched together eventually, anyway,” she said. “I like to think I kept an open mind to the possibilities, but neither one was a fit for me. How about you?”
Tag held up his hand. “Me, either. I had more fun being with you than with them.” He took her hand in his. “Have you ever wondered what would have happened if you hadn’t married Randy?”
Her frown was back. “What do you mean?”
He stared down at her fingers, rubbing his thumb over her knuckles. “Have you ever thought about what we could have meant to each other?” He looked up into her eyes, pinning her with his gaze.
She sucked in a swift breath and bit down on her bottom lip. “No.”
A red-hot poker stabbed him in the heart. It wasn’t quite the answer he’d hoped for. “Oh, okay.” He started to let go of her hand.
She curled her fingers around his. “I hadn’t thought of you and me before I married Randy. You never seemed interested. But you’ve always been there for me, for us. Our friend.”
“Was that all you ever thought of me as…” he lifted her hand to his lips and pressed his lips to her fingertips, “as a friend?”
“I think a best friend is a really good place to start,” she whispered, her eyes filling with tears.
“Did you know I was in love with you back when the three of us met all those years ago?”
She shook her head, the tears spilling from her eyes. “No. I never knew.”
“I was.”
Her eyes widened. “Was?”
“The me of so long ago fell in love with the you of back then. We’ve both changed. And I realized Randy was the right choice for you, at that time.” He smiled into her eyes. “And now, I have you as my best friend. I wouldn’t change that for anything.