Leslie’s eyes narrowed. “He’s not a loser. If anyone’s a loser,” she lifted her chin and stared down her nose at him, “you are, sir.”
“Why you—” Beer-breath raised his hand to slap Leslie.
Tag grabbed the man’s arm, twisted it behind his back and raised it up high enough to make it hurt.
“What the hell?” Beer-breath yelled. “Let go of me.”
“I will,” Tag leaned close to the man’s ear then spoke in a low, warning tone, “just as soon as you apologize to the lady.”
“Ain’t got nothin’ to—Eeoooww!” he yelled. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”
“That’s more like it.” Tag dug his keys out of his pocket and handed them to Leslie. “If you don’t mind, you can wait for me in the truck. I have a little cleanup work to do.”
She frowned. “You won’t hurt him too badly, will you?”
He smiled. “Don’t worry. I won’t hurt him…much.”
Leslie moved toward the exit, while Tag marched Mr. Beer-breath toward the clerk behind the counter. “Could you call for a police escort to take this man home? I believe he’s had a few too many.”
The clerk’s eyes rounded. “Yes, sir.” The young woman placed the call.
“I had one beer,” the man argued. “One lousy beer.”
“Sure, you have.”
“You got no reason to hold me. I got rights.”
Tag’s jaw hardened. “You lost those rights when you swung at my date.”
“I wasn’t gonna hit her.”
Within a few minutes, two police officers entered the restaurant and took charge of Beer-breath.
“You want to press charges?” one of the officers asked.
“No,” Leslie’s voice came from behind. “Just make sure he gets home safely and doesn’t hurt anyone in the process.” She slipped her hand through the crook of Tag’s elbow. “Can we leave now?”
Tag glanced toward the officers.
They nodded. “We have all the information. Thank you. You might have saved this man’s life and others on the road.”
“Just glad he didn’t hurt my girl.” Tag squeezed Leslie’s hand close to his body. “Ready?”
She nodded and let him lead her out to his truck and help her inside.
Once they were both settled, she turned to him. “Was that rule three?”
He started the engine. “Rule three?”
“Never hit on another person’s date,” she said.
Tag grinned. “I hate to call that a rule since it’s so obvious, but you’re right. It’s not good to hit on another person’s date. Don’t do it.”
Leslie buckled her seatbelt, draped her jacket over her lap and smiled at the windshield ahead of her. “It seems I have a lot to remember and learn. And thank you for taking over with that redneck back there. I could have taken care of myself, though.”
Tag shot a glance in her direction. “He was about to hit you.”
“I was about to duck and knee him in the crotch.”
“In that skirt?” Tag raised a brow. “I don’t think you could have gotten your knee up high enough.”
“I would have raised it.” She shook her head. “But thank you for saving me from that goon.”
“You’re welcome.” He pulled out of the parking lot. “Where to? Want to go dancing?” He winked. “You might be disappointed you couldn’t go with Beer-breath.”
“Not tonight,” Leslie said. “Though I do love to dance. Maybe another night.” She brightened. “I’ll put that down as one of my preferences. A man who likes to dance.”
“Good idea. I’ll put that down as well. I love to dance.”
Leslie’s brow scrunched. “You like to dance? I seem to remember you didn’t.”
“I’ll have you know I took lessons. I learned a long time ago that most women love to dance. If I wanted to impress one, all I had to do was offer to take her dancing.”
Leslie studied him. “When did you learn how to dance?”
“Several years ago. I took lessons in ballroom dancing. I can waltz, foxtrot, tango and samba. I also know a few line dances, and I can do a mean two-step.”
Leslie frowned. “Taggert Bronson, do I even know you?”
Tag grinned, glad he’d finally gotten her attention. “Sometimes, I don’t think you do.”
“Well, that has to change.” She folded her arms in her lap. “I’ll know all about you after we work on your profile in BODS. We’ll find you a perfect match. The ladies are going to love you.”
Tag stared at the road ahead. That wasn’t exactly what he’d had in mind when he’d gotten her attention. He wanted her to consider him as perfect for her, not some other woman.
He could see that he still had work to do.
* * *
Leslie sat in the seat next to Tag, wondering what the heck was wrong with her. Tag was her dearest friend. He’d been Randy’s best friend. Why was she thinking about him as date material?
She tried to tell herself it was because she had to think of him as a client and determine what would appeal to her female clients.
However, it was more than that. She liked being with him. She’d always enjoyed being with him, even when she, Randy and Tag had been friends, before she’d agreed to marry Randy. Now, with Randy gone, she was thinking of Tag as more than a friend. A couple times this evening, she’d had the sudden and startling urge to kiss him.
Holy hell. Tag would have been appalled. She was married to his best friend!
Was.
Randy was gone. He wouldn’t have minded if Leslie fell in love again. He’d even said he didn’t want her to be alone. Randy had given her permission to fall in love and have a chance at happiness. How would he have felt if he’d known she was looking at Tag in that way?
Knowing Randy, he would have loved the idea of Tag taking care of her.
Leslie risked a glance at Tag from beneath her lashes.
He was every bit as handsome as Randy had been, maybe even more so. His blue eyes contrasted so well with his dark brown hair. He was taller than Randy, and his shoulders were broader.
“Have you been working out?” Leslie asked before she thought.
Tag’s lips twitched. “I try to stay in shape,” he admitted. “I have a home gym where I lift weights, and I go to the gym three times a week to spar with a retired boxer.”
Leslie raised her eyebrows. “I’m impressed.”
He shrugged. “Keeps me from getting bored.”
“You? Bored?” Leslie shook her head. “As I remember, you never slowed down enough to get bored.”
Tag snorted. “When I started making money, I had to hire other people to help manage my holdings. I did such a good job hiring people who could do the work, I don’t have as much to do.”
“Is that why you’re always over messing with my little BODS system?”
He nodded. “Truth is, I’m never bored around you.”
Leslie’s heart swelled. “Same.”
“If we’re going to do this dating thing, I’ll be seeing even more of you.” He tipped his head toward her, raising his eyebrows.