The Billionaire Matchmaker Test (Billionaire Online Dating Service #5) - Elle James Page 0,56

feel of her body against his. He was tempted to stay. So very tempted.

After holding her for a long time, he kissed her forehead and smiled down at her. “I’ll see you Wednesday.” He opened the door and left, closing the door between them.

For another long moment, he stood staring at her door, wondering if he was an idiot. He could have stayed. They might have made love.

And he might have blown their entire relationship because he was moving too fast.

Tag sucked in a deep breath, performed an about face and left.

Wednesday was D-Day. He’d see her then. Hopefully, his plan would work, she’d realize she loved him as more than a friend and she wouldn’t be curious about any other date BODS might match her with.

Or all his plans could blow up in his face, she could be beyond angry with him for leading her on with his Joe Fox persona and their friendship could be a thing of the past.

Tag’s gut knotted. He’d know soon enough.

Chapter 13

“Woman, do you ever stop pacing?” Ava walked into Leslie’s office, carrying the mail she’d already gone through.

Leslie stopped in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking downtown Austin and faced her assistant and friend. “I can’t help it.”

“Tonight’s the night, isn’t it?” Ava smiled and laid the papers on Leslie’s desk. “Your final date. Are you excited?”

Leslie sucked in a deep breath and let it out in a rush. “No. I don’t want to go. I know in my heart who I want to be with, and I don’t know how to tell him.” Tears welled in her eyes.

“And that who is…?”

“You know.”

She smiled. “Tag?”

Leslie nodded.

Ava squealed and hugged herself. “I knew it.”

Leslie’s brow pinched. “You knew?”

“Of course, I knew,” Leslie said. “It was obvious to everyone but you.”

“Everyone?” Leslie cover her mouth with her hands. “Even Tag?”

Ava frowned. “I’m not sure about Tag, but the rest of us could see it.”

“I love him. I don’t want to be with anyone else.” She flung her hands in the air. “What am I going to do?”

Ava hurried over to Leslie and gathered her in her arms. “It’s okay. You don’t have to go out with Joe. You can cancel the date.”

“It’s too late,” Leslie wailed. “I don’t have his phone number.”

“Then email him. Tell him you’ve had a death in the family and can’t make it.”

“What if he doesn’t get the email in time?” She shook her head. “He’d be at that restaurant, expecting me to show up. What a horrible thing it is to be stood up.” She shook her head. “I can’t do that.”

“At least, try to email him.” Ava led her to her desk and guided her into her seat. She leaned over her shoulder and brought up the BODS application. “Go on, give it a shot. He might be online.” Ava snatched a tissue from the box on Leslie’s desk and pressed it into her hand.

Leslie wiped her eyes, blew her nose and tossed the tissue into the trash bin. Then she squared her shoulders and logged into BODS. As soon as her profile came up, she saw that she had a message from Joe. “He’s messaged me,” she whispered.

“Maybe he’s cancelling,” Ava said. “Open it.”

Leslie opened the message and read it out loud.

Dear Leslie,

I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to meeting you at last. I didn’t know how I’d feel about being matched with someone through BODS, and I appreciate your patience and your communications before we actually meet in person. I love that we seem to have more in common on a deeper level than I’ve had with most women. I’m hopeful for our future but don’t feel pressured. No matter how this ends up, know that I am eternally grateful for the chance to get to know you better. You’re an amazing woman, and you deserve a lifetime full of love and happiness whether it’s with me or someone else.

Very truly yours,

Joe Fox

Leslie leaned back and groaned. “I can’t do it. I can’t cancel our date. Not after a letter like that.”

“Yes, you can,” Ava urged. “Just put your fingers on the keyboard and tell him you’ve changed your mind about everything.”

Leslie shook her head. “I can’t. That’s not something I can do in an email. He’s been so kind. I can’t be that cold.” She straightened. “I’ll go, but I won’t stay. I’ll tell him I’m not interested, but that he shouldn’t give up. Oh, hell.” She pressed a hand to her