finger at Avery. “Isn’t that what you and Dylan discussed? That I need to focus on myself.”
Avery sucked in a breath. “He told you that?”
Meredith nudged Avery’s arm. “You talked about Care-bear with that jerk face?”
“In a moment of weakness.”
“No.” Carrie took another step forward. “You were right. You and Dylan both. For too long I’ve tamped down my own desires. It doesn’t change my commitment to Magnolia, but I need to consider myself, as well.” She blew out a long breath. “I’m sorry I missed dinner and the meeting tonight, but I had an idea for a new painting and...” She gestured the two of them forward. “Would you like to see?”
Nerves ratcheted through her as the two of them approached. Carrie backed up, and her sisters joined her and then turned to view the canvas, a landscape scene of Magnolia Beach. Carrie had returned there early in the morning yesterday to see the sunrise, inspired by the promise of a new day dawning on the horizon.
“Wow,” Meredith murmured.
“The colors of the sky are amazing.” Avery reached out and squeezed Carrie’s fingers. “I’m blown away.”
Carrie couldn’t describe her style based on the techniques she’d learned from formal classes and watching her father through the years, but dipping the paintbrush in the vibrant palette of acrylic paint she’d chosen unleashed something inside her. All the emotions she’d tamped down for so many years had burst forth onto the canvas.
“This is different than the way you normally paint,” Avery said, her tone filled with astonishment.
“I wasn’t trying for a huge departure.” Carrie laughed softly. “Honestly, so much of what I’ve painted lately has been owls and flowers and holiday scenes from the classes. Not to mention the festival backdrops. I’m not even sure what my own style is at this point.”
Meredith raised her delicate brows. “I think you can safely call it ‘lots of mind-blowing sex.’”
Carrie felt her mouth drop open. “What are you talking about?” she demanded, narrowing her eyes at her sister before turning her attention back to the canvas. “There’s nothing sexual in that painting.”
“Maybe not overtly,” Avery murmured. “But it’s definitely sensual.”
“It’s a landscape.” Carrie stepped forward and then turned, using her body to block the canvas. It felt suddenly personal for the other women to view it. “Not even a Georgia O’Keeffe type flower.”
Meredith and Avery shared a look and then grinned at Carrie. “You didn’t deny the great sex,” Meredith pointed out.
Carrie closed her eyes for a moment and tried not to groan out loud. She hadn’t talked to anyone about the change in her relationship with Dylan. If she could even call it a relationship. More like a mutual scratching of an itch.
Whatever she called the arrangement, it worked for her on a lot of levels. Her body felt satiated in a manner that made her want to purr with pleasure at the thought of all the ways Dylan had touched her. She continued to ignore the faint warning bells going off in the vicinity of her heart that told her she was in too deep with him. She knew better than to trust her heart.
Carrie had been a dutiful daughter, a faithful friend and a devoted member of the Magnolia community. She was everyone’s go-to for help, known far and wide as dependable, practical and boring as all get out.
Being with Dylan was freeing, her own little act of rebellion from what was expected of her. That didn’t mean she was ready to share the details of her personal life with anyone, even her sisters. Somehow speaking about it would make things more real and prevent her from keeping her emotions and hopes in perspective.
“It’s not a big deal,” she told them, trying and probably failing in the attempt not to sound defensive.
“Taking up with Dylan again is a huge deal,” Meredith countered. “The biggest.”
Avery put a hand on Meredith’s shoulder. “She looks happy.”
Meredith sniffed. “Delirious from great sex and happy aren’t the same thing.”
“Is it more than sex?” Avery asked gently. “Do you have feelings for him?”
“It’s been a few days. He and I want different things from life.” Carrie shook her head. “I haven’t lost sight of the goal,” she repeated. “I know his plan isn’t right for Magnolia.”
“Are you sleeping with him to butter him up in order to win?” Meredith tapped a finger on her chin. “I wouldn’t have expected it of you, but it’s not a bad idea.”
“Of course that’s not what I’m doing.”
“You’re painting,” Avery remarked.
Meredith turned