Page 56 of The Christmas Fix
“Where’s my Gabby girl?” Cat asked crawling over laps to hug her brother.
“Snoring in bed. Paige is ready to drop too. But I couldn’t not celebrate you going back to school.”
They clinked drinks and shared a one-armed hug.
“Proud of you, Cat. This is a big deal.”
Noah watched as color creeped up Cat’s cheeks. “Awh. Shut up.” She wiggled out from under his arm and Noah wondered if she was actually embarrassed by the praise. The Cat he assumed he knew would bask in the limelight.
“You want pizza? Noah brought some,” Cat made the offer to Gannon. The way she said his name so casually as if he hadn’t had his tongue halfway down her throat a week ago flustered Noah. And then he remembered he wasn’t supposed to be thinking those thoughts.
What was he doing here?
“I think I met you unofficially back when we were here shooting the first time,” Gannon said, offering a hand.
Noah shook it. “Right. Yeah. It’s good to have you back.”
“Glad we could lend a hand. We’re making some good progress on the residential side. I haven’t checked out Reggie’s diner yet, but the contractor on that job mentioned things are on schedule.”
Noah nodded. “Reggie’s excited that he should be able to reopen after Thanksgiving.”
“Should be a good episode,” Gannon predicted. “You getting used to TV crews all over town yet?”
“Nope. I walked into the grocery store yesterday, and there was a camera crew following Mrs. Pringle around in her scooter.”
“Couple more weeks, and we’ll be out of your hair.”
Funny how that didn’t sound as good now that he’d tasted Cat.
“Time to progress,” Cat called over the ruckus.
Drinks were finished with enthusiasm, cups and bottles piled into the sink.
“Let’s go, Yates,” Cat said giving him a push toward the door. Noah couldn’t help but wonder if Cat too felt the frisson of electricity when she touched him.
They filed out into the cold night. Fall had surrendered to an early winter. Not that Noah minded. Growing up in Merry, winter was required to be your favorite season.
They piled into a smaller, less-new RV, the quarters close enough to resemble a sardine can, but no one seemed to mind.
“Damn it, Eddie! Where are the snacks?” Cat demanded from the depths of the tiny refrigerator.
The booing was unanimous.
“That’s what you get for working me late,” Eddie snapped back good-naturedly.
They’d already devoured the pizza, and finding a restaurant that was open at this time in Merry wasn’t going to happen.
“Ugh. Fine. I’ll hit the grocery store. But that means I’m getting things I like,” Cat announced.
“Someone better go with her,” a production assistant joked.
“It’s literally fifty feet away.”
“Yeah, but we want beerandsnacks,” Eddie called out. “You’ll need extra hands.”
“I’ll go.” Noah volunteered.
He wasn’t sure who was more surprised, Cat or him.
