Page 74 of The Catch

“Kit Cat!” Someone called from behind Cat’s shoulder. It was a masculine voice, and Josh’s ears perked at the endearment. He turned to see the bartender heading their way with an eager grin on his face.

“Hi, Jay.” Cat smiled back, spinning her stool in his direction.

With jet-black hair and a golden, island-vacation complexion, Jay looked like he should be wearing a Hawaiian shirt and juggling bottles of booze for tips. Josh watched the conversation, trying to think if he’d ever heard the name Jay before.

“It’s been a while since you’ve been here on a Friday night.” Jay leaned over the bar and planted his lips squarely on Cat’s cheek.

Josh’s stomach tightened, but he figured Cat would introduce him any second now, and Jay would keep his lips to himself. There was no need to overreact.

“You look good,” Jay said, his eyes combing over her.

Or not.Josh forced himself to stand up a little straighter despite the fact that his body was willing him to find a corner to lie down in. This was all wrong. Cat hated guys like this. Jay was Snake Guy but taller, tanner. Better looking.

“Yeah, she’s adorable,” Dani snarked. “Can I get a shot, please? Tequila. Double.”

Jay’s attention bounced over to Dani. She had a way of directing the flow of conversation her way, and it was suddenly Josh’s favorite thing about her.

“Gin and tonic,” Cat added, looking expectantly toward him.

“Whiskey neat,” he said. Maybe he could burn away this cold with some hard alcohol therapy. He handed over his card, circling his finger to let Jay know that both women belonged on his tab. “Keep it open, will you?”

“Josh is in Friday night mode,” Dani said with a little wiggle in her seat. “Thanks. You’re a doll.”

“He is,” Cat said, kissing him on the cheek. “I’m going to use the ladies’ room.”

“So, Josh,” Dani said, slipping off her coat and getting comfortable on the stool. “Cat said you’re working on the Abbott Building.”

“I was there today.”

“My grandmother is moving in there when it’s done. Think I can get the architect to give her some nice skylights? Maybe a rooftop deck?”

“Well, the plans have already been submitted, but I’ll see what I can do.”

“That’s my boy.”

“Hey, what’s his deal?” he asked, jutting his chin in Jay’s direction.

Dani laughed, waving away the suspicious tone Josh had let slip. “Jay? He’s just good at his job.”

Josh looked again while Jay poured their drinks a few feet away. He supposed Jay looked professional enough, smiling and making conversation with the other patrons. He’d almost convinced himself he was blowing it all out of proportion until Jay set their glasses in a row on the bar, and the first thing out of his mouth was: “Where’s Cat?”

“Bathroom,” Dani answered, sipping her shot.

“Cool, cool. I almost forgot, she left her gloves here last time you ladies were in.” Jay pulled Cat’s favorite grey knit gloves out of the pocket of his apron with a wink.

“Thanks, man,” Josh chimed in, using the opportunity to stake his claim. “I can take them for her.” He reached a hand across the bar with a tight-lipped grin he hoped saidback off.But Jay just peered at Josh’s open palm with his own loaded look.

“I’ll wait.”

Josh’s pulse drummed angrily in his ears, and he could feel Dani’s eyes on the side of his face. He shook off the urge to fire back at him. Cat would set this guy straight when she got back. “Suit yourself,” he said, wrapping his arm around the back of Cat’s empty stool, possessively. He’d be damned if he was going to let some asshole who poured her booze make him feel like the third wheel when it came to Cat. He took a sip of his whiskey and waited.

When Cat returned, Josh pulled out her stool, making sure Jay saw his hand settle on her back.

“Oh, extra lime!” she said, plucking one from the rim of her glass and squeezing it into her drink. “Thanks, Jay.” She tossed her hair behind her shoulder adorably, and Josh’s jaw twitched.

“Extra gin, too,” Jay replied. “Just enough to get those cheeks nice and pink like I like.”

That was it. There was no way Cat was going to let this guy hit on her like that. Even if he wasn’t standing right there, Catia hated smarmy lines. She’d put him in his place.

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