Once he had his primary data entered, he dove into his preferences.
Must love dogs.
Must like the outdoors.
Must like steak. No vegans, please.
Ability to ride horses preferred, not required. He could teach that.
“Must love ballroom dancing,” a voice said behind him.
Tag looked up into Leslie’s smiling face, and his heart flipped over several times. “I didn’t hear you come in,” he said.
“I’m stealthy like that,” she said with a wink and took the seat beside him. “I started entering my preferences but got stuck. It appears I don’t know myself as well as I’d like to think I do.”
“I can help you with that,” he said. “Bring yours up. While you wait for your profile to boot, you can help me with mine.”
She clicked the mouse and entered her login and password. While she waited, she turned to his monitor. “Favorite color?” she asked. “Isn’t it blue?”
Tag nodded. “And yours is yellow. You love sunshine.”
She nodded. “I do so love sunshine.”
“As much as you love sunshine,” Tag said, “you enjoy walking in the rain, as long as you don’t have to be anywhere that your hair matters.”
Leslie laughed. “Right. And you love the rain because it means fresh grass for your horses.”
“Speaking of horses, don’t forget to mark that you ride. That might impress your prospects.” He waved toward her monitor. “Your profile just came up.”
“Good,” she said and quickly scrolled to the preferences page. “Yellow for favorite color. Rides horses.”
“Loves dancing,” Tag reminded her.
“Favorite flower,” Leslie paused.
“Bluebonnets,” Tag said. “You love the bluebonnets in the spring.”
“That’s right.” Leslie sat back, a smile curling her lips. “Remember the time we drove out to Enchanted Rock and almost didn’t make it in time to hike to the top?”
“We stopped so many times for you to take pictures of the bluebonnets and Indian paintbrushes along the side of the road, it was late afternoon before we got to the base of Enchanted Rock.”
“Randy almost called off our hike,” Leslie said.
“I’m glad he didn’t,” Tag said. “The hike was great, and the view from the top was amazing.”
Leslie stared at the monitor, her hands in her lap. “Thankfully, we got down before it was too dark to navigate the boulders.”
“I remember we were so hungry, we stopped at that little German café on the way back and had wiener schnitzel and beer.”
“You and Randy drank too much beer, and I ended up driving us all home.” Leslie glanced toward him. “That was the month before Randy was diagnosed.” She sighed. “I’m glad we went. It made for good memories. We were all happy then.”
Tag remembered. He hadn’t been married to Leslie, but he’d still enjoyed her company, and he couldn’t begrudge his best friend’s happiness. Though he’d been a third wheel on the trip, he was still glad he’d gone. He’d loved Randy, too. As a brother.
“Must love cats,” Leslie entered.
“Cats?” Tag shook his head. “Since when do you love cats?”
“I’ve always loved cats. Randy wouldn’t let me have one in the house,” Leslie said. “He said he was allergic. I think he just didn’t like them.”
Tag made a note to include cats as a preference for his alter ego. He didn’t have a problem with cats, but he preferred dogs.
“What about dogs?”
“Must love dogs. But most men do,” Leslie shook her head. “Unfortunately, cats can be a deal-breaker for some men. I want my man to be open to felines.”
“Fair enough,” Tag said. “I like cats, especially the ones that live in my barn and keep the mouse population down.”
“See? That’s what I love about you,” she said. “You’re open to the possibilities.”
Whew, Tag thought. He’d dodged the cat bullet.
“Preferences in looks…” Leslie stared at the screen. “I really don’t think looks matter all that much. It’s what’s on the inside that I care about.”
“What if he’s bald?” Tag ran a hand through his thick hair.
Leslie’s gaze followed his hand. “I think most bald men look sexy.”
“Eye color?”
She shook her head. “Doesn’t matter to me.”
“In shape?”
“Again,” she touched a hand to her chest, “it’s what’s inside that matters.”
“You have to narrow it down a little. You know the way this system works.” Tag frowned. “Age?”
“Okay, he has to be at least twenty-eight, but I don’t mind if he’s older than I am,” Leslie said. “Older, more mature men can be very sexy.”
“Over eighty?”
She smiled. “I’m willing to give it a shot. My grandfather was a very handsome and spry eighty-year-old.”
“You’d date your grandfather?” Tag asked, wrinkling his nose.
Leslie sighed. “I don’t know. What matters is, that he’s kind to animals and people, and that he likes to travel. I don’t mind if he drives fast, as long as he’s considerate on the highway. No road rage. Austin has some serious traffic issues. I couldn’t stand to be stuck in a vehicle with a man who blows a gasket every time he’s met with a delay in traffic.”
Tag raised a hand. “That rules out a lot of guys, including me.”
Leslie laughed. “You never get mad.”
“Not with you in the vehicle.” He winked. “I don’t get mad. It doesn’t get me there any faster. If I want to be somewhere at a certain time, I consider the time of day and the traffic patterns.”
Tag turned to his monitor and clicked the keyboard. “Must love driving in the country.”
“Right?” Leslie chuckled. “Any time I can get outside of the city, I’m happy.”
“Me too.”
Leslie turned to her monitor. “Likes to cook.”
“I can grill a mean steak and chicken breast,” Tag said. “Likes to stay home and watch old movies.”
“I love old movies,” Leslie said. “They have some of the best dialogue.”
“I was thinking about the old westerns,” Tag drawled.
“Even those had good dialogue,” Leslie said. “I love a good Hepburn and Tracy movie.” She sighed. “But I don’t just like the oldies. I like a good action adventure or superhero movie. They’re just fun.”
“I remember you loved the latest Avengers movie,” Tag said.
She nodded. “Thanks for taking me. You always seem to know just what I need in the way of entertainment. I think I was feeling down that day. The movie was just what I needed to lift my spirits.”
Tag dipped his head. “Glad I could help.”
Leslie’s mouth twisted. “I feel so comfortable going to a movie with you. It won’t be the same with a stranger. I’d feel awkward if he put his arm around me.”