SOLVED. Novel, Outer Banks, NC, 2 best friends fall for same girl, coming of age novel [s]

[John]

I believe this book must have been published in the 1990s, it takes place on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, and the cover comments make a big deal of this which makes me think it may be a local author. The story revolves around 2 best friends. I can't remember the main characters name, or the girl they both fall for, but the best friend was named Cary. Cary falls in love with a girl hard, and the best friend starts hanging out with them. He eventually falls for the girl as well and she for him. The main character is an artist that after leaving the outer banks achieves some fame in the art world. A death in his family (I think) causes him to return to the Outer Banks which stirs up the memories of his youth, the friend, and the girl.

Any help would be appreciated this has been driving me crazy for years!

[Andria]

Early from the Dance?

"Cary and Adam, best friends from opposite sides of the Killdeer, North Carolina, tracks both fall in love with Jane McCrae, forcing Adam to make a difficult choice, in an evocative coming-of-age story"

[John]

Yes!!! Andria you are a genius. How on earth did you find this from the meager clues I was able to provide?