Starry Night

your golden opportunity.”
    “The article is off the table.” Carrie rinsed the dirty dishes and set them inside the dishwasher, not wanting to have this conversation. “I’d rather not discuss this, Sophie.”
    “Why can’t you write it?” Sophie wasn’t willing to let this go.
    Carrie straightened and faced her friend head-on. “Finn asked me not to.”
    “What?” Sophie all but exploded.
    Carrie hurriedly glanced around the wall that separated the kitchen from the living room to be sure Finn hadn’t heard any part of this conversation. Both men appeared caught up in the football game. Sighing with relief, Carrie turned back to her friend.
    “Keep your voice down, would you?”
    “Sorry, but you need to think this through; give me one good reason why you aren’t writing that article. Just one.” She held up her finger and threatened to wag it with every word.
    The answer should be obvious. “In case you hadn’t figured it out, I’m in love with Finn.”
    “You barely know the guy,” Sophie challenged.
    “I know him well enough.”
    “Listen, Carrie, I realize you think you’re in love, but you aren’t. This is a classic case of wild infatuation. Opposites attract, right?” She didn’t wait for a response. “You’ve gone bonkers for him, and it’s understandable. He’s not bad looking, and he seems to be a nice guy, but tell me, do you honestly see yourself picking berries out in the wilderness in order to survive?”
    Sophie was right about one thing; Carrie couldn’t see herself living her life in Finn’s cabin, raising a family in such a limited environment. Still, she wasn’t willing to give up Finn.
    “What about your career?” Sophie challenged next.
    “I can write anywhere.”
    “You can,” Sophie reluctantly agreed. “You’re smart and talented. But you can’t seriously be considering giving up this golden opportunity.”
    Carrie lowered her voice to a whisper. “I won’t betray Finn. I’m not that kind of person.”
    “I can’t bear to see you make this sacrifice,” Sophie insisted. “You’d be a fool not to take advantage of what you know about him.”
    Carrie refused to listen to this any longer. “Stop, Sophie. I said I’m not doing it, and I mean it. End of story.”
    Sophie gave a disgusted shake of her head. “Don’t you see what he’s doing?”
    “What are you talking about? He trusts me, and I trust him.”
    “Aren’t you afraid he might be using you?”
    “Using me? For what?” The idea was so preposterous that Carrie nearly laughed out loud.
    “To keep track of what you’re doing so you won’t write the article,” Sophie explained.
    Carrie shook her head, finding this conversation almost comical. “Finn isn’t like that.”
    “Are you sure?” Sophie challenged. “Take my advice and admit that this relationship isn’t going anywhere. If you hang on, you’ll only be setting yourself up for heartache. I’m your friend, and I have your best interests at heart.”
    Carrie actually felt sorry for her. “You are getting to be such a cynic, Sophie. How can you say these things?”
    “How can you be sure he isn’t with you so that you won’t write the article?” Sophie asked. “Against all odds, you found him. You know too much.”
    “Stop,” Carrie insisted. “I don’t want to hear it.” She was finished with this conversation. She tossed the dish towel down on the counter, jerked the Christmas apron loose from her waist, and stuffed it in a drawer. “I’m done listening to you,” she said.
    Abruptly, she turned away from her friend, and to her shock she found Finn standing in the doorway.
    Sophie cast her an apologetic glance, murmured, “Oops,” and then scooted past Finn. “Hey, Bruce, time for us to leave.”
    “But the game …”
    “You can watch it from my place.”
    Carrie waited until she heard the front door click closed. “How much of that did you hear?” she asked.
    Finn had his arms crossed over his muscular chest. His frown compressed his forehead. “I heard enough.”
    “Don’t be offended by Sophie. She doesn’t know what she’s talking about. She certainly doesn’t know my heart.”
    “Don’t be so sure.”
    “Finn …”
    “You mean to say you never guessed what caused my change in attitude while we were in the cabin?”
    “I …” She frowned. “No …”
    “When you first arrived I was determined not to give you a single bit of information, and then you riled me to the point