The Billionaire Matchmaker Test (Billionaire Online Dating Service #5) - Elle James Page 0,27
were the best of friends. When I think about Tag as anything other than a friend, I feel like I’m being disloyal to Randy.”
“That’s bullshit,” Emma said. “Randy’s not here anymore, Leslie. You gotta live your life. And if your life includes Tag, all the better. Randy would have blessed the relationship. He loved Tag like a brother and would have been happy to know that he was taking care of you.”
“Maybe so, but it still feels weird.” Leslie dropped her purse on her kitchen counter. “Besides, I have three more guys to go through that BODS matched me with. And BODS can’t be wrong, can it?”
“Well, it worked for four of us,” Emma said. “It wouldn’t hurt to give the other three men a try.”
“That’s the plan,” Leslie said.
“And while you’re at it, remember,” Emma said, “a bird in the hand is worth three in the bush.”
Leslie’s brow dipped, and a smile played at the corners of her mouth. “Does that make Tag a bird?”
“Read into it what you will.” Emma chuckled. “I think Tag is a great guy. And I think he thinks you’re a great gal.”
“Yeah, but what if he only thinks of me as a friend? I don’t want to do anything to ruin our friendship.”
“It doesn’t hurt to keep your options open,” Emma said. “Have a good night. I love you, girl.”
“I love you, too, Emma.” Leslie ended the call, got dressed in her unicorn pajamas, crawled into bed and pulled out her laptop. She logged into the BODS application to make sure it was up. Then she logged into her account to look at her next candidate. As soon as she logged in, a bell chimed, and a message came up from Joe Fox. She opened it eagerly.
Dear Leslie,
I’m glad you didn’t find my method of getting to know each other off-putting. I’m also glad you were honest about how you feel about dating. I’m sorry you lost your husband whom you loved dearly. He must have been a wonderful man. The fact that you loved him so much shows your capacity for love and gives me hope that there is a woman out there who could love me as much as you loved your husband. I would never ask you to compare me to your first husband, but to at least be open to the possibility that there might be someone out there you could love in a different way. You’re obviously a very caring and loving individual. I find that refreshing and hopeful. I, too, like to sing, but I do that in the shower, so nobody has to listen to me in my toneless wonder. I also love to walk. I like to ride horses as well, and I enjoy a good glass of wine, although I prefer a beer on a hot day. Though I spend a lot of time in the city, my heart is in the country. I don’t mind the spiders and snakes and critters. They are all a part of life. I love when I can stare up at the sky and see the stars, without the city lights around me. I love it even more when I can share the wonders of heaven with someone I care about. Thank you for responding to my rambling. You did fill my day with sunshine and joy. I wish you the same.
Joe
* * *
Leslie’s first reaction was to pick up the phone and call Tag. She paused, though. Her messages with Joe seemed more personal. She shouldn’t share them with anyone else, even Tag, who was her best friend. Instead, she wrapped her arms around her middle and gave herself a hug. The evening had gone a lot better than she’d anticipated. She’d liked Otis, she’d liked Twyla. She’d liked that they’d gotten along with each other. And she’d enjoyed her time with Tag. Any time with Tag was always good. As she thought about the moment they’d stood in the hallway outside the bathrooms in the steakhouse, she trembled. When he’d leaned close to her, she’d sworn he was going to kiss her. She wished he had. Now, looking down at the letter from Joe, she wondered. Was Tag the one she was meant to be with after Randy? Or was there someone else out there?
She sighed, closed her computer and turned out the light. As she lay on her pillow, she was more confused than when she’d first signed on to BODS.