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 be 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.