The Magnolia Sisters (Magnolia Sisters #1) - Michelle Major Page 0,104

you.” Carrie held out the bag from the bakery like a peace offering.

“I kind of did,” Meredith admitted.

Avery laughed softly at that. Leave it to Meredith not to pull any punches.

“You both know about my initial meeting with Jacob Martin,” she explained. “It was before I’d decided to stay in Magnolia.” She unrolled the bag and ripped off a small section of pastry. “He put out some feelers and has a buyer interested in the downtown properties. I told him I wouldn’t sell.”

“But do you want to?” Carrie asked softly. “If you and Gray aren’t together, does that change how you feel about staying?”

Avery thought about her answer as she chewed. After swallowing, she shook her head. “Gray wasn’t the only reason I want to be here,” she said, dropping her gaze to the floor. “Magnolia feels like home because of the two of you. I like having sisters.”

“Me, too,” Carrie whispered and they both looked at Meredith.

“It’s not as bad as I thought it would be,” she said with a shrug.

“But do you want me around?” Avery forced herself to ask. “Look at the damage I caused back in San Francisco and now with Gray. I hurt people.”

Carrie plucked the bag from her hand and took out the bear claw. She pulled it apart and handed a piece to Meredith.

“Hey,” Avery protested. “That’s my breakfast.” Spot shoved her nose against the back of Avery’s leg. “I’m not sharing with you, either,” she told the pup.

Carrie took a small section for herself and gave the rest to Avery. “Sisters share,” she said simply. “We’ve been over the situation in California. You made a big mistake in choosing the wrong man, but what happened after isn’t your fault.”

“Gray will come around.” Meredith plopped down on the edge of the bed. “That guy is head over heels for you.”

“I don’t deserve him.”

Carrie stalked forward and slapped at the pastry. It landed on the floor next to Avery’s feet. “Enough,” she yelled. “You don’t deserve to be rewarded for your extended pity party.”

Avery blinked.

“I would have eaten that,” Meredith muttered.

Carrie pressed her fingers to her mouth, as if shocked she’d lost her temper. Avery had the feeling her sister could use more letting go. They all had something to overcome. She needed to stop mentally face punching herself for not being perfect. All the self-incrimination was doing nothing for her life.

“Tell us the truth. Do you want to sell the gallery?” Carrie asked, her voice barely above a whisper. “If the money means that much to you, I want you to have it.”

“You can’t be serious,” Avery answered.

But Carrie nodded. “I know we haven’t been a family for very long, but you’re more important to me than any building. Whether you stay and help us turn the town around or leave for greener pastures, we’ll still be sisters.”

“What she said,” Meredith added.

Avery sucked in a breath. She’d never expected to find this kind of connection but was smart enough to realize the precious gift her sisters were offering her. She’d made some stupid mistakes but couldn’t continue to punish herself for them.

“Magnolia is just green enough for me,” she told them. “I’m not going to sell, but I do want to stay.” She swallowed, then continued, “I need to face what happened in California. Even if Gray chooses to believe the worst about me, I can’t keep doing that to myself.”

“What do you need?” Carrie asked without hesitation.

“I want to try to talk to Tony’s wife,” she said, heart pounding at the thought of it. “To apologize once and for all for the part I played in her being hurt. Maybe it won’t make a difference to her, but it will give me some closure.”

“I’ll go with you,” Carrie said, then threw a pointed look at Meredith.

“I hate planes,” she said, then rolled her eyes when Carrie continued to stare. “Okay, fine. We’re going to San Francisco. Can we at least tour Alcatraz while we’re there?”

“You’d come with me?”

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