The Merriest Magnolia (Magnolia Sisters #2) - Michelle Major Page 0,96

he hurt you again. How can we ignore that?”

“He never really promised me anything.” Carrie tried not to flinch from the pain of that truth. “I thought his views on the town had changed. I thought he wanted to be with me. Obviously, I read more into great sex than I should have.”

Meredith sniffed. “Or maybe he used his ninja bedroom skills to ensure you.”

The last thing Carrie wanted to think about was Dylan’s ninja bedroom skills. The idea that he’d purposely worn down her defenses made the pain of her heartbreak spike hot and bright in her chest. Perhaps wine and a Joni Mitchell marathon weren’t such a bad idea after all.

“I need to get ready for the trip,” she told her sisters, hoping she sounded more convincing than she felt. “It will be good for me to have a change of scenery.”

“If you change your mind about Christmas dinner,” Avery said, her gaze filled with a quiet concern, “come over. Don’t call. Don’t hesitate. Just come over. You aren’t alone.”

Tears pricked at the backs of Carrie’s eyes.

It felt strange but right to let them out of her house and return to the quiet. Instead of resuming her position on the sofa, she padded to the kitchen table and flipped open her laptop.

Her inclination might be to close herself off, but she wasn’t that person anymore. She used to think fear and doubt made her weak. Now she realized that those two emotions could only control her if she let them.

The only way to overcome fear was to keep moving forward. That was what she intended to do.

She found a flight leaving Raleigh the following morning and booked a seat on it. Then she grabbed her phone and punched in her mother’s number.

Vanessa answered on the third ring. “Merry Christmas, Carrie. I only have a few minutes to talk. A local choir is about to begin performing in the lobby.”

Her mom had called earlier for their traditional holiday conversation, undoubtedly when she’d had a break in her schedule, but Carrie hadn’t answered and understood she’d missed the window of her mother’s attention. She admired Vanessa’s dedication. She worked every major holiday, showing a devotion to the guests at the hotel that she had never displayed with her family.

In a way, both of her parents had wanted to control their own lives. They’d just gone about it very differently. Carrie let out a long breath. She was a grown woman, and it was long past time she claimed control of her life.

“Hi, Mom. Merry Christmas. I need your help.”

She heard the soft gasp on the other end of the line. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d asked her mother for anything. It clearly felt as strange to Vanessa as it did for Carrie.

“What can I do?” her mom asked without hesitation.

“I’m going to New York City to meet with a gallery owner. I’ve looked at a couple of hotels online, but everything seems to be booked for the holidays. I don’t know if you have any contacts but—”

“I can get you a room. That’s easy.” There was a long pause. “Is this about your father’s work?”

“The gallery is interested in me,” Carrie said, feeling pride swell inside her despite the ache in her heart. “I’ve been painting again, Mom. Different than what I used to do.”

“You have talent, Carrie. You always have.” Vanessa laughed softly. “When you were little, your father used to brag to anyone who’d listen about what a chip off the old block you were. Don’t think he didn’t recognize it. I’m sorry he sabotaged your confidence once he realized your gifts would eclipse his, although I suppose it’s not a surprise. Another reason for me to feel horrible about leaving you with him.”

“That’s not what I want, Mom.” Carrie’s chest heaved with her attempt to reconcile the way her father had derided her teenage efforts with her mother’s assertion that he’d once been proud of her.

“I’ll call the hotel in New York right away,” her mother promised. “In fact...” Her mother paused, drew in a breath. “I could come up to the city and meet you.”

Carrie’s immediate reaction was to say no. She assumed, because that was her way, that her mother was making the offer out of guilt or some sense of duty.

“I mean it,” Vanessa continued when Carrie didn’t answer. “It would be fun for the two of us to spend some time together.”

“Would it?” Carrie murmured. The tea she’d shared with her

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