arranged to make it more of a double date,” Leslie said.
All three of her friends looked at her, brows raised.
“Really?” Emma asked. “How are you going to do that?”
“I can’t imagine any of your BODS clients wanting to go out on a first date with three strangers instead of just one.”
“Oh, we’re not going to tell them it’s a double date,” Leslie said. “He’s just going to show up with his date at the same place as my date is taking me. We’ll get into a conversation, and then end up sitting together, hopefully.”
“Wow,” Fiona said. “You’re making this more complicated than has to be.”
“Even if we don’t sit together,” Leslie said, “at least he’ll be in the same restaurant with me. I won’t have to worry about that serial killer taking off with me and dumping my body in a ditch.”
Ava nodded. “Good point. Now that I’m thinking about it, I think it’s a good idea. You never know who these people are. Just because they pass a background check doesn’t mean they haven’t committed a crime.”
“That’s right. It only means they haven’t been caught committing a crime,” Fiona said.
“That’s right,” Emma said. “Jeffrey Dahmer killed seventeen men before they caught up with him. He hadn’t shown up on a police report before they finally caught him.”
Leslie rolled her eyes. “That’s what Tag said.”
“You know, if you feel more comfortable being around Tag,” Emma said, “why don’t you date him?”
Heat rose up Leslie’s neck into her cheeks. “Tag’s been my best friend for so long. He and I and Randy used to go out together before Randy and I got married.”
“Why did you choose Randy over Tag?” Ava asked.
Leslie smiled. “I actually loved them both. But Randy was ready to settle down, and so was I. Tag had a lot of maturing to do. I don’t think he was ready to get into a long-term relationship.”
“And now?” Ava asked.
Leslie’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t know. I think now he’s grown up, and he’s ready for a relationship. BODS is going to be a good thing for him. He’s a good man. He deserves happiness.”
“And you don’t?” Emma asked.
“I had happiness with Randy.” Leslie smiled.
Emma shook her head. “We all had happiness with our first loves. But it’s quite possible to have love again. Don’t sell yourself short. Don’t die with Randy.”
Leslie squared her shoulders and looked her friends in the eyes. “Hey, I entered my name in BODS. I’ve committed to going out on some dates to meet new people. What more do you want from me?”
“All we want is for you to be happy,” Fiona said.
“And to be happy,” Emma added, “you have to be open to a new relationship.”
Leslie held up her hand as if swearing in court. “I promise I’m going to give it my best shot.”
Chapter 5
Tag’s cellphone rang through his truck’s speakers. The caller ID displayed Sean’s name. Tag pressed the talk button on his steering wheel. “Hey, Sean.”
“Wanna grab a beer with me?”
“Sorry,” Tag said. “I have a hot date.”
“Wait. What?”
“You heard right. I have a date. I’m on my way to meet her now in Cedar Park.”
“Hey, that’s good news,” Sean said. “Need any advice on what to say and how to act?”
Tag snorted. “No way. All I’ll get out of you is sarcasm and bad jokes.”
“Seriously, I can tell you all the lines not to say. And the ones that could get you slapped in the face.”
“Thanks, but no thanks.” Tag chuckled. “I’ll take my chances on my own.”
“So, who is she?” Sean asked.
Tag shook his head. “No one you’d know.”
“I don’t know. I used to know a lot of women. Try me.”
“I promise, you won’t know her. She’s a programmer. A technical geek. Her name is Twyla Stratton.”
“Okay, you’re right. I probably don’t know her. I don’t remember that name. But I do know a thing or two about dating.”
“Yeah, right,” Tag said. “You went out one time with Ava, fell in love and now you’re happily involved in a relationship.”
“I’ve dated a lot more than you have, buddy. I just didn’t find the right person until I met Ava. My main advice to you is don’t settle. When you meet the right person, you’ll know. And stick with that woman until you convince her that you’re the right person for her.”
Oh, he knew who the right person was for him. He had her in mind already. He just had to convince Leslie that he was the right person for her.
“Well,