The Billionaire Matchmaker Test (Billionaire Online Dating Service #5) - Elle James Page 0,30
enjoy the evening?”
“Actually, I did.” Leslie stared out the window, as if staring into her memories. “My date was very nice. Tag’s date was, too.”
“That tells me a whole lot,” she said, her tone wry.
Leslie looked back at Ava. “Otis is a Dr. Who fan and a physicist.
Ava nodded. “We got that much from BODS. The Dr. Who fan part of his personality…that is different.” Ava frowned. “That could be a good thing or a bad thing.”
“How could it be bad?” Leslie asked.
Ava shrugged. “Some people get fanatical about being fans. They get into the cosplay. Some of them believe they’re the characters they portray.”
Leslie frowned. “I think Otis just enjoys the whole Comic Con scene. And, get this, Tag’s date Twyla was all into the same. She showed up in a Tardis-blue dress that matched Otis’s Tardis-blue bowtie.”
Ava’s eyes widened. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Sounds like your dates were meant to be together.”
“That’s the conclusion Tag and I came to.” Leslie smiled. “We ate at a table for four at the steakhouse. Afterward, we went to the Comic Con convention in Cedar Park. Otis and Twyla were in their element. They talked to everyone in costume and even those who weren’t, who were celebrities who acted in some of those shows.” Leslie smiled. “Tag and I followed behind them.”
“What you’re telling me is that you switched dates,” Ava said.
“No,” Leslie shook her head. “We were still with our original dates. I was with Otis. Tag was with Twyla. At the end of the night, we said our goodnights to our respective dates.”
“Did you arrange for a second date with Otis?” Ava asked.
Leslie’s lips twisted. “I kinda don’t think Otis wants to go out with me again. He was much more interested in Twyla than me.”
Ava chuckled. “Of course, he was. As one Dr. Who fan to another, they had a lot more in common with each other than with you and Tag.”
Leslie nodded. “Yes, they did. And they were so cute together. I’m happy for them. If ever a couple belongs together, it’s Twyla and Otis.”
Ava nodded. “And, once again, you and Tag were left alone for the evening.”
Leslie frowned. “We didn’t stick around. After the date was over, we all went our separate ways.”
“So, you didn’t get together with Tag and compare notes about your respective dates?”
Leslie grimaced. “Well…”
“Ha!” Ava grinned. “So, you did compare notes.”
Leslie sighed. “We did. All the way home by cellphone. And when we got home, he called again to discuss today’s events.”
She arched an eyebrow. “And was he taken with Miss Twyla?”
Leslie smiled. “About as much as I was taken with Otis.”
“And were you taken with Otis? Were you disappointed that he and Twyla got along so well together?”
Leslie shook her head. “Not at all. Otis was a nice man. He’s charming. He was considerate.” She paused. “And he was very much into Twyla.” Leslie raised her hands palms upward. “Like I said, I’m happy for them. In a roundabout way, BODS was the system that introduced them. Through Tag and me.”
“Well, I still think you need to consider dating Tag,” Ava said.
Leslie frowned. “I can’t date Tag. He was my husband’s best friend. That just seems wrong.”
“There’s nothing wrong with going out with Tag,” her friend said. “He’s good-looking as all get out. You know each other inside and out. And you like each other.”
“But is that enough basis to date?” Leslie asked. “Aren’t forever relationships based on love?”
“So? Why can’t you love Tag?”
Leslie rose from her chair, walked to the floor-to-ceiling windows and stared outside. “I don’t know. I just don’t know. It seems wrong, even when it feels right.”
Ava snorted. “Uh-huh. I thought there was something between you and Tag.”
Leslie spun to face Ava. “Oh, you cannot say anything to Tag.”
Ava held up her hands. “Don’t worry. I’m not going to do anything stupid.”
“It’s just that I’ve had these feelings. Twice now, he’s been close enough for me to kiss him.” Leslie’s cheeks heated. “And I wanted him to.”
Ava leaped out of her chair and crossed the floor to stand in front of Leslie. She gripped her arms and stared into her face. “Leslie, you of all people know that life is short. You have to grab for the joy. You can’t let it get by. You want to go to your grave with no regrets.”
“When Randy knew he was dying and only had a couple of days to live, he made me promise not to grieve for