The Billionaire Matchmaker Test (Billionaire Online Dating Service #5) - Elle James Page 0,22
don’t let me keep you away from your love life,” Sean said. “Just think, this Twyla woman could be the future Mrs. Bronson.”
Not a chance, Tag thought. “I hope you find someone to catch a beer with.”
“Let me know how it goes,” Sean said. “Later, dude.”
Tag arrived at the steakhouse five minutes early. His plan was to meet Twyla at the door at exactly six-thirty. He searched the parking lot for Leslie’s white Lexus SUV and didn’t see it. He frowned. It wasn’t like Leslie to be late. She was usually fifteen minutes early to everything.
An auburn-haired woman climbed out of a silver DeLorean. She wore a royal blue dress with a black waistband that had white lettering that read Police Public Call Box on it. She looked like she was wearing a Tardis from the Dr. Who television show.
Tag studied her face. She looked like the woman from the picture he remembered on BODS. He glanced at the parking lot one last time before getting out of his truck. Leslie still hadn’t arrived. All of a sudden, Tag was feeling awkward about meeting this woman he knew nothing about. All along, he’d only been concerned about being there when Leslie arrived, not to get to know Twyla Stratton. He squared his shoulders. He’d promised the woman a date, and he had to live up to that promise. As he walked across the pavement, a white Lexus SUV skidded sideways into the parking lot and came to a shuddering halt.
“What the hell?” Tag frowned.
Leslie never drove fast or recklessly.
She backed into a parking slot and climbed out of her vehicle.
“Hi, you must be Tag Bronson,” a voice said beside him.
Tag dragged his gaze away from the white Lexus and glanced at the auburn-haired woman. “And you must be Twyla Stratton.”
She nodded, her gaze taking him in from head to toe. “It’s a good thing you look like your photo. I was afraid I wouldn’t recognize you.”
He smiled and glanced at her dress. “Dr. Who fan?”
She grinned and nodded. “Guilty. I did put in my profile that I’m a sci-fi geek. I guess I was putting it mildly. I hope that doesn’t bother you. I like to think of myself as quirky, not crazy.”
Tag gave her a reassuring smile. “That’s good to know. I like action adventure and science fiction movies and books. I thoroughly enjoyed all the Star Wars and Star Trek franchise offerings.”
She let out a heartfelt sigh. “Good. Then we’ll have something in common.”
“Tag?” a voice said behind him. “Tag, is that you?”
Tag’s pulse pounded. He turned to face Leslie as she crossed the parking lot, wearing a bright red sundress with narrow spaghetti straps that complemented her sandy-blond hair.
He played along with the ruse. “Leslie?”
She laughed. The sound was strained and nervous to Tag but probably not noticeable to anyone else. “Fancy meeting you here,” she said.
Tag smiled. “What brings you out to Cedar Park?”
She glanced around the parking lot. “I’m here to meet a date.”
A short man wearing dark trousers, a white shirt and a bow tie got out of his sedan and walked toward Leslie.
Based on what Tag recalled from his picture on the BODS application, this had to be Otis Peebles.
Leslie turned toward to him with a smile and held out her hand. “Are you Otis Peebles?”
“I am,” he said and took her hand. “And you must be Leslie Lamb.”
“I am. Nice to meet you, Otis.” She turned toward Tag. “I just ran into an old friend. Otis, this is Tag Bronson. Tag, Otis Peebles, my date.”
Tag took the man’s hand, even though Otis’s grip was limp with no bones or muscle behind it. He gave the man a firm shake and nodded. “Nice to meet you.” He turned toward his date. “And this is Twyla Stratton, my date. Twyla, this is Leslie Lamb and Otis Peebles.”
Twyla held out her hand to Leslie and shook it briefly. “Nice to meet you.” Then she turned her attention to Otis, her eyes narrowing on his bow tie. “Oh, my gosh! Is that a Dr. Who bowtie?”
Otis laughed and touched his fingers to the tie. “Yes, it is. It’s one of my favorites. I love the concept of the Tardis being a time machine. This was the only bow tie I could find with the Tardis on it.”
Leslie laughed softly. “Look at you two. Your outfits match.”
Twyla held out her hand to Otis. “So very nice to meet you, Otis.”