“Sounds good. I’m looking forward to acquiring the Seurat ... together.”
“Yes. Together, darling.” Carrie slid her oversized sunglasses on and then waved with a “Ta-ta!”
Releasing her breath and plastered smile, she turned to face the office, spying half of Guy’s face peeking out.
“I see you, you know.”
“Whatever are you going to do?”
“Make the best of it. Look, Guy, he’s happy—so I’m happy—and that’s all there is to it.”
“That’s caca. How do youknowhe’s happy?”
“Because I saw the two of them together.”
He sighed and shook his head. “You only saw what he wanted you to see. He wouldn’t have engaged in coitus with you if he were so in love with her.”
“He only had sex with me because he was drunk.”
“Drunkonyou.”
“No,becauseof me, and he probably doesn’t even remember it!”
Darling girl, I see I need to put my biology teacher hat on now. A straight man has sex with a beautiful woman to emotionally bond, procreate, andsentirti desiderata. Mix in physical attraction, and love—as you state he claimed—and there is your answer. Let me ask you this—did either of you use protection?”
“Are you feeling better, Sis?” Elizabeth asked bracing herself for the answer on the other end of the phone twenty-five miles away and thankful for it.
“I suppose.”
“Did you and Charlie make amends?”
“Of course. He realized that such a high-value, ethical woman as I would never interfere with another’s romantic relationship. He apologized profusely for maligning my integrity.”
“Of course, you wouldn’t insert yourself where you don’t belong.” She rolled her eyes. “So, you’re back together then?”
“Not officially.”
“What’s not officially?” she dared to ask.
“Apparently, he’s taking a step back from us because he feelsoverwhelmed. Whatever that means!” She huffed, then snorted. “He thinks I’m rushing our relationship and is undecided if I’m a suitablepartnerfor him. I don’t see what the problem is. Oh, could life be any crueler to me? What a jerk. Who needs him andhis crazy family anyway? Perhaps you can talk to him through one of your clients, his sisters.”
“No. I don’t think so.”
An awkward silence settled between them, and she waited for the expected rage to follow but finally said, “By the way, I’m leaving for Paris on Monday for a last-minute acquisition trip.”
“That must be nice. Is George going with you?”
“No. George and I ... um ... he has something to do.”
“Oh. When will you be back?”
“I’m not sure. I may take a few days off to visit my old haunt, maybe take a class or two and get inspired to paint again.”
“But George.”
“He doesn’t mind.”
“If you’re not careful, Lizzy, someone might steal him before your wedding. He’s under a lot of pressure, and the last thing he needs is your floundering. You did that once before and look where it got you.”
