Page 100 of The Sinner: James

My smile drops from my face.

What the hell is she doing here? She’s not supposed to be here.

Someone could see her. Or she could run into some family member, her dad, or her brother-in-law.

“What is she doing here?” Lex asks as if reading my mind.

“I have no idea.”

We slide out of my car. Ed and Lex head inside while I stay behind.

She walks to me.

“What happened, baby?”

Her eyes light up with a faint smile.

“I wanted to see you,” she murmurs against my lips, hugging me warmly.

I scan the parking lot before tipping my gaze back to her.

She wears ripped shorts and a white cropped tank top, making her tanned skin look like amber honey.

Her sun-kissed hair cascades down her back, framing her sultry eyes.

“What’s going on?” I ask suspiciously, my eyes connecting with hers.

“Nothing,” she says as if a lot has happened.

“Give me your keys. I need to move your car.”

She hands me her car keys.

I open the side gate, pull her car inside and park it close to the back entrance so no one can spot it from the street.

She climbs into my ride while I slip back into my seat.

A moment later, I crank up the engine and pull out of the parking lot, driving away.

“Is something wrong at home?”

She shakes her head, her eyes gleaming with emotions.

“No,” she says, looking away, averting her eyes.

Minutes later, we leave town and drive in silence for the rest of the trip.

Soon, I pull off the main road and steer the car onto a dirt path leading to a lake and a wooded area.

I roll down the windows before turning the engine off.

The sound of crickets and frogs vibrates in the air while fireflies flap their wings, swaying their golden lights all around us, making the meadow look like a fairy tale.

“I missed you, James...” she says softly without looking at me.

Figuring that this must be more than a passing mood, I exit the car, walk to her side, and open the door for her.

“Let’s watch the fireflies,” I say.

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