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 no.”

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.