“I think life just threw you a curve, and it’s up to you to decide whether or not to go for it. Figure out your top two priorities, and then figure out how to make at least one of them work. Go with your gut. No one’s going to be able to tell you what the right choice is.”

“It would be a hell of a lot easier if someone would,” Cat grumbled.

“You wouldn’t believe them anyway.”

“Yeah, well, I get that from you.”

“You’re only looking at the obstacles. You gotta start looking at solutions. If you want it to work. Though why you wouldn’t want to lock down that sexy hunk of man is beyond me.” She sighed. “You know, I’ve always had a thing for glasses. I was so excited when your father got his first pair of cheaters. You’re lucky you didn’t end up with a baby brother or sister that night.”

“Oh my God, Mother.”

Angela grinned and laid a hand on Cat’s arm. “Fine. One last thing, and then I’ll shut up. It drives me batty to hear your generation going on and on and on about balance. There’s no life-work balance. Okay? Get it? It’s all life. You get the same twenty-four hours as the next girl. Fill yours with what you love.”

Cat blinked, processing.

“There’s my girls,” Pete King boomed as he shuffled into the kitchen.

“Hi, Dad,” Cat said, offering him a kiss on the cheek and a squeeze around the middle.

“Your daughter’s considering a move to California,” Angela said with the accusing tone of an Italian mother.

“California, eh?” her father said, scratching his belly. “What’s for dinner tonight, my angel?”

Angela slapped at his hand. “Your daughter wants to move across the country, and you want to know what’s for dinner? This family!”

“Who’s moving across the country?” Gannon, Gabby bundled in his arms, marched into the already crowded kitchen with Paige on his heels.

“Your sister!”

Gannon leveled a look at Cat. “And you didn’t think we’d want to know?” he demanded.

Paige peered over his shoulder. “Why don’t we open some wine and get our daughter a snack before we jump all over your sister,” she suggested.

“How did it go with Santa Claus?” Pete asked, swooping in to steal Gabby from her father’s arms.

“Perfect,” Paige grinned. “She screamed like a banshee until Gannon jumped over the fence to save her.”

CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

One day to Christmas Eve

The eve of Christmas Eve found Noah playing host to half of the men of Merry. Cat had arranged a spa afternoon for the women including Sara, Paige, Angela, Kathy, and April. She’d also thoughtfully included Mellody in the mix, and off they all went, chauffeured by Pete King to do God knew what with their hair and nails.