What is wrong with “he said”, “she decided”, “he replied”, and the rest? They slow the pace of the story whereas emotion and action drive it. The first example occurs early in a sequel, so the scene is being set for new readers.

     Bill Hamilton, owner, landlord, and best friend came out to meet him. “I was getting worried, Richard. Friday nights are always popular and the pub’s packed.”

Facts – Bill owns a pub, it’s Friday, and Richard is more than a friend; he’s needed.

     Her mobile phone vibrated against her hip. If it was Richard she’d ignore him – it was Bill. “Hello.”

     “Maria, could you doll up and come over before my customers slope off to The Rose and Crown?”

Facts in two lines – Maria is upset with Richard, and Bill is determined to get them back together.

The next examples are short, and they don’t say who is speaking, so how does the reader know? It's made clear once at the beginning of a section from whose point of view the story is being shown, and all other character names appear frequently. Nothing is shown that the POV – point of view – character couldn’t see, hear, or know. Number one opens a POV for Maria.

Maria glared at Bill. “Me, sit in an armchair in the bar with everybody looking at me and wondering why?”

     Next, her ear and a finger on her bruised hand were attacked. “Ouch! Go away.”

     She smothered a giggle. “I thought I’d hidden my bruise rather well.”

     Relief she’d be rid of it brought tears. “Sorry. Yes, please, but… why did you offer?”

POV Richard.

Richard yanked the Mustang’s steering wheel, Maria let go, and the car hit the kerb with a rear wheel and slewed across the carriageway. “Why do you think I had you practising reversing off the drive into Ash Road, for Christ’s sake?”

     Maria jumped out, grabbed her purse, and threw the car keys at him. “I won’t be needing those again, will I?”

     Japan and bathroom fittings kept him occupied for so long Aimee buzzed. “Your wife is on the line, Mr Carpenter.”

     Rhiannon tapped his leg and laughed up at him from her cushion on the floor. “You didn’t notice me?”

Out of context, those quotes are confusing, but every one shows an emotion, fixes a time or place, or includes action. Study the next, first written with a tag and then without.

     “Perhaps you’d care to lunch a little early with me in my office,” Mr Howe said. “Nobody will expect me to join the party until the rest of the staff are here.”

     A beringed hand on her arm drew her back towards Mr Howe. “Perhaps you’d care to lunch a little early with me in my office. Nobody will expect me to join the party until the rest of the staff are here.”

In the second, the sexual suggestion is clear, and so is the fact that it’s unwelcome. Why not try it?