“He’s mistaken.”
“Thank goodness. So far I’ve had a hideous day. My agent is a pig. He’s going to have to be replaced. And Kitty Bergman is a bitch. I hate and loathe Kitty Bergman.”
“I thought you loved Kitty Bergman.”
“That was yesterday. Have there been any calls for me?”
“Someone’s calling every hour and hanging up when I answer.”
“That’s not good,” Marty said. “That’s not good at all.”
“Do you have a problem?”
“Heavens, no. Some razor burn on my chest, but aside from that…”
The phone rang, and Marty and Cate stared at it in silence.
“You should answer it,” Marty finally said.
“Hello?” Cate said into the phone.
“I want to talk to Marty.” It was the raspy-voiced guy again.
Marty was vigorously shaking his head… no, no, no.
“Marty isn’t available.”
“I know Marty’s there. I saw him go into the building.”
“Sorry, I haven’t seen him.”
“You’re a lying bitch. Tell Marty I’m outside, waiting.”
And he disconnected.
“He called me a bitch, and he said he’s outside waiting,” Cate said to Marty.
“This is a real pain in the ass,” Marty said. “This is turning into
“I thought you had a party tonight.”
“I do. It’s in Aruba.”
Chapter THREE
At ten minutes to five, Cate rushed out of the condo and ran into Pugg, still waiting in the hall.
“What the heck?” Cate said.
“Pugg got off work at four, so Pugg came back.”
Marty was long gone, but an hour ago Cate had gotten another hang up, so she thought running into Pugg might be an okay thing. Truth is, she was feeling a little freaked out by Marty and the phone calls, and she wouldn’t mind having someone walk out of the building with her.
“Here’s the deal,” Cate said. “The boyfriend-girlfriend thing isn’t going to work for us, but we could be friends.”
“Pugg was in the market for a girlfriend.”
Cate checked her watch. She was going to be late. “Pugg’s going to have to settle,” Cate said.
“If we’re just friends, does Pugg get any?”
“Any what?”
“You know… whoopee do. Does Pugg get to hide the salami? Pugg has needs.”
“Pugg’s going to have to take care of his own needs,” Cate said, heading for the elevator.
“Will you watch?”
“No!”
Seconds later, Cate was on the street, head down, power walking to Evian’s.
“Cate has long legs,” Pugg said, trotting beside Cate and breathing heavily, trying to keep up. “Pugg likes that in a woman.”
Cate stopped outside the bar and looked at Pugg. He was an obnoxious little bugger, but she had to give him points for persistence and a positive attitude.
“Thanks for walking me to the bar,” Cate said.
“Pugg will stay here and walk you home.”
“No walking home,” Cate said. “None. Nada. No way.”
“Pugg doesn’t understand
Cate blew out a sigh and went into the building.
Thirty minutes before closing, Kellen McBride walked in and claimed a bar stool. Cate’s heart involuntarily skipped a beat, and she mentally scolded herself about getting a grip. Okay, so he was a great-looking guy. And he was charming. And he was a flirt. All fun things, but no reason to get unhinged.
“Pick your poison,” Cate said to him.
“Surprise me.”
Cate drew a draft and started a tab.
“Not a lot going on tonight,” Kellen said.
“Marty isn’t singing. Customers always drop off when Marty isn’t here.”
“Are you friendly with Marty?”
“Moderately. Why, do you want an introduction?”
He shook his head. “No. I’m just making conversation. Don’t want you to nod off on your shift.”
Cate looked down the bar. Less than half the stools were in use. And no one required her attention. Everyone was nursing a drink and watching the overhead television.
“So what’s a nice girl like you doing in a place like this?” Kellen asked.
“I’m putting myself through college,” Cate said. “It’s perfect. I work nights and go to school days. It’s between semesters right now so I’m kind of lost during the day. I’m not used to having free time.”
“I could help with the free time,” Kellen said.
“Spoken like my brother’s banker.”
“I occasionally work for a bank, but I’m not a banker. And I don’t know your brother.”
“Swear on the blood of your ancestors?”
“That sounds a little grim, even for an Irish girl, but yeah, I swear. What’s the deal with the banker?”
“My family is working hard to find me a husband. They mean well, but I don’t want a husband right now.”
Oh great, Kellen thought, doing a mental grimace. The woman had principles, worthy goals, and determination. Not only did she have those big, beautiful brown eyes, she had some intelligence behind them. Just what he didn’t need.
“You have other priorities… like school.”
“Exactly.”
Cate caught movement in her peripheral vision and turned to catch Pugg motoring over to the bar.
“What’s this?” Pugg asked, pulling up next to Kellen. “Pugg senses someone moving in on his squeeze.”
Kellen looked down at Pugg and smiled. “Kellen McBride,” he said, extending his hand.
“Patrick Pugg.”
“I’m not your squeeze,” Cate said to Pugg, her voice low, hoping to avoid a scene.
“Pugg has plans.”
“Pugg is a nut,” Cate said, just slightly louder.
“Many people have said this to Pugg, but Pugg is not deterred so easily. Pugg will be waiting outside to walk you home.”
“No!” Cate said. “And if you tell me Pugg doesn’t understand
“Then Pugg’s lips are sealed, but you know what Pugg is thinking.”
“I’m walking Cate home,” Kellen said to Pugg.
“Pugg doesn’t believe this.”
“It’s true,” Cate said. “He’s my… boyfriend.”
“Pugg was told you were available. Pugg was told you were desperate for a roll in the hay. Maybe not in so many words, but Pugg felt it was implied.”
