The phone rings, jolting me out of a deep sleep. I rub my eyes and try my best to focus on the clock. I see it is a little after ten. Considering I kept a close watch on my cat and didn’t get to sleep till four, I’m not even close to being in my body yet. “Hello?”

“How’s the cat?”

Josh.

I look on the bed and don’t see her, then spot her on the floor eating, which I guess is a good sign. “Basically she has cat flu. I have to make sure she stays warm and keep a close eye on her for a few days. The vet gave her a shot and I’ve got some medicine.”

“Well, good thing you have a vet who takes emergency calls at that hour. So, you’re playing nursemaid to your cat today.”

“For right now I am. Tomorrow might be tough, though. My sister’s on vacation so I can’t take a day off to watch Gypsy and make sure she’s okay. I’ll be running up and down the stairs all day to check on her.”

A bit of a pause. “Tell you what... I don’t have any meetings tomorrow and all I’m doing is finishing up a design which I do on my laptop. How about I work out of your apartment while you’re at the deli? I could keep an eye on the cat and if anything bad happens I could take her back to the vet.”

Buddy, you just redeemed yourself. “Josh, that’s really nice of you. I’ll take you up on that offer.”

“Really, it’s not a problem. And I can see how important that cat is to you.”

“You have no idea. Anyway, I’ll send up lunch for you. And bring dinner.”

“Now there’s an incentive. What time do you need to be at the deli?”

“My brother opens the door at seven for the coffee crowd but I don’t start till nine.”

“Okay, I’ll get there at eight-thirty and you can tell me what I need to do for the cat.”

“Great. Thanks so much, Josh. I really appreciate it. See you tomorrow. Bye.”

“Bye.”

I hang up the phone, throw back the covers and get out of bed to check on Gypsy, who is now stretched out in a sun square. She looks better but generally when I wake up she immediately wants to play. “Okay, kitty, you get a sitter tomorrow.”

***

GYPSY IS STARTING TO look like her old self on this Monday morning, though she has not returned to her death defying leaps and sneak attacks. She’s also gone a few days without stealing something, so until I see my car keys or a piece of jewelry in her bed I know she’s not fully recovered. (All thongs and similar incriminating items have been removed from the apartment.)

While she’s had cat sitters before, Josh is basically a stranger, so I’m not sure how she’ll react.

And it will be a good test to see how he reacts after spending an entire day with her.

The door buzzes and I look at the clock.

Eight-thirty. He’s right on time.

I buzz him in and hear him walking up the stairs so I open the door to greet him. “I can’t thank you enough for doing this, Josh. It’s really very nice of you.”

“Not a problem. It doesn’t matter where I get my work done. Have laptop, will travel.”

Along with his computer he has some rolled up blueprints under one arm. I point to the dining room table. “I cleared everything off so you have room to work. Hope this will be enough space for your plans.”

“That’s perfect, thanks.” He places everything on the table and spots Gypsy. “So how’s the furry patient doing?”

“Much better, but still not one hundred percent. I just gave her the medicine and I’ll give her the next dose at dinnertime.” I hold up a can of cat food. “Okay, give her this around noon. She’ll usually gobble it up but encourage her to eat if she doesn’t. Make sure she sleeps in her bed or a sun square, and don’t let her get close to that cold window leading to the screened porch.” I hand him a pad. “Here’s the phone number of the deli, along with the number and address of the vet. Pet carrier is next to the door. I’ll call you every couple hours to see how things are going.”

He laughs a bit. “You’re going to be one helluva helicopter parent if you ever have kids.”

“Hey, she’s my fur baby. Pretty much the same deal.”

“A.J., you’ve got nothing to worry about.”

“Great, thank you. Now, I already made a pot of coffee for you, eat anything you want out of the fridge and I’ll send up lunch. I close the place at five and will bring dinner if you can stay.”

“Love to.”

I lean up and kiss him on the cheek, then crouch down to pet Gypsy who has already claimed a sun square. “And you take it easy, young lady.” She rewards me with a lick and a purr.

***

I TRUDGE UP THE STAIRS after a ridiculously busy day carrying two servings of lasagna.

Hoping that Gypsy’s condition has improved.

I open the door and see something I didn’t expect.

Josh, seated at the table, working on his laptop.

Gypsy stretched out across his lap, asleep.

“Well, isn’t this a nice picture. Apparently you two get along.”

He looks up at me and smiles. “I think she only wants me for my body heat.”

“How long has she been there?”

“About an hour. She came over to my chair and put her paws up on it, like she wanted to be picked up. So I put her on my lap and she went to sleep.”

I place the food on the kitchen counter. “How’s she been acting all day?”

“You mean since you called an hour ago?”

“Very funny.”

“She’s better than when you called at ten, and by twelve she was even better, and much improved when you called at two—”

I put up my hands. “Fine, you’ve made your point. I’m obsessed.”

“She ate all of her food, so her appetite is normal.”

Gypsy wakes up and notices me, gets up from Josh’s lap and heads over to me. I pick her up and look into her eyes. “You’re starting to get that devious look back, sunshine. I guess you like your cat sitter.” I give her a hug as I turn back to him. “Can’t thank you enough for doing this. I hope you were able to get your work done without too many interruptions.”

“She slept most of the day. And I just about finished the project I need to present tomorrow morning. Maybe another half hour of work. But that can wait.” He points at the food. “Something smells good.”

“You hungry?”

“Absolutely.”

“C’mon, we’ll eat in the kitchen so you can just leave all your work there.”

***

AN HOUR LATER I’M PERFECTLY content after a big helping of lasagna and an even bigger helping of wine. Josh’s stock has really risen today so the potential “red flag” from the other night is no longer waving. Gypsy is better and it’s clear she has accepted him.

He leans back and extends his legs as he grabs his wine glass. “That was excellent, A.J. Thank you.”

“Glad you enjoyed it. That’s the wonderful thing about working in a deli. I never have to cook dinner.” I look at the clock and see it is just a little after six. “Since we can’t go out, you want to stay a while? Watch a movie or something?” (Fine. I really don’t have any intention of turning on the television, as I have plans for the “or something” which includes a session on the couch.)

“Sure. I can finish up my project later.”

I get up and extend my hand to lead him to the living room. He takes it and we head to the couch.

I’m pretty sure this time we won’t be interrupted by the cat.

Josh sits and I slide onto his lap. His eyes widen a bit. “I guess we’re not watching television.”

“There’s nothing on.”

“You didn’t even look.”

“You want me to get the remote so you can check?”

“Absolutely not.”

I lean forward to kiss him—

And his eyes widen as he sits bolt upright. “Noooo!” He lifts me off his lap and practically dumps me on the couch as he moves quickly toward the dining room table.

Good God, the guy is that scared of me? “Josh, what’s wrong—”

And I immediately see what’s wrong.

Gypsy doing that kneading thing with her paws. On the keyboard of his laptop.

“Oh no... no, no, no... no!!!! You stupid cat!”

Gypsy leaps off the laptop and runs down the hallway into my bedroom.

“Did she—”

He frantically types on the keyboard, then buries his head in his hands. “Damn it! Everything I did today is gone!”

“You sure?”

“Yes, I’m sure! She obviously hit the delete key and the file closed. Damn it!”

“Did you save your work? Can’t you just hit un-do—”

“No!” He slams the laptop shut, rolls up the blueprints and heads for the door. “I’ve gotta re-do everything by tomorrow morning.”

“Josh, I’m so sorry.”

“Talk to you later.” He heads out, slams the door and I hear his heavy footsteps quickly going down the stairs. Followed by a car starting and peeling away.

“Well, shit.”

I quickly head to my bedroom. “Gypsy? Where are you, kitty?” I look around the room and don’t see her. Check the closet, no cat. Finally I look under the bed and see her huddled against the wall, hair standing on end, tail like a wire brush, puffed out like a Halloween cat. “C’mon, sweetie, it’s okay. He’s gone. C’mon, Gypsy.” I see her fur slowly return to normal but she still won’t come out. I reach under the bed and grab her, pull her out and hold her close. She’s shaking a bit, clearly agitated from Josh screaming at her. “It’s okay, kitty, you’re safe.” She begins to calm down as I stroke her fur.

She’s a Russian Blue, but she showed me a red flag.