It drew him in. That brightness. He was pulled toward it like it was a magnetic force. She was so unlike anyone else he’d ever known. Anything he was used to. Even though he knew she’d undoubtedly rake him over the coals, he just wanted to see that brightness again.

Cat stared at him, more amused than angry for the moment. “I would love to hear a toast from Noah,” she purred.

Danger! Danger! His inner fight or flight instincts warned him. But Noah was feeling a little reckless tonight.

He cleared his throat. “To Catalina King, a memorable woman.”

“To Cat!” the misfit crowd echoed.

Cat’s lips, pink and glossed curved up. “That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me, Yates.”

“Don’t let it go to your head,” he cautioned and was rewarded with an eye roll.

“Where’s Sara tonight?” she asked, sliding closer to the bearded guy with the nose ring as someone levered Noah into a seat at the end of the table.

Was she asking to show off the fact that she could recall his daughter’s name? Or did she actually care? “She’s at her mother’s, hopefully studying for her biology quiz.”

“Hmm,” was Cat’s only response.

The volume picked back up, and Noah felt himself drawn into a few conversations at the same time. What were the Patriots’ Super Bowl chances? Nil, since he was a hardcore Jets fan. Where did the pizza come from because it was awesome? A little place called Pranav’s Pizza run by an Indian man and his Italian wife. The curry chicken pie was to die for. Was he putting his money on Cat for the most epic Christmas Festival in the history of Merry?

“Noah’s reserving judgment on that one,” Cat answered for him with an arch of her eyebrow.

“If she delivers what she says she can,” Noah ventured, “it would be a festival for the history books.”

“And I will proudly rub your face in it.”

“Awh, look at you two getting along so nicely,” Henry said over the rim of his wineglass. “Paige would be so proud.”

There was a thump at the RV door and a disjointed chorus of “Come in.” The man who wedged his way inside was broad and tall and vaguely annoyed. He wore his dark hair cut short, and was sporting a Kings Construction hoodie that stretched across his chest. His frown transformed into a crooked grin when Cat whistled from where she was holding court.

“Gannon King is in the house!” Cat crowed.

Noah made a mental note to keep his mind clear of all things Cat-naked related while in the presence of Gannon. He’d never had a brother, but he imagined there was some sort of telepathy that would alert them to impure thoughts about their sisters.