Page 128 of The Sinner: James

She takes a seat next to me.

“I spoke to Joanna, and she offered me the job. I can start next week. And I also talked to the person who needed a roommate, and I can move in any time I want.”

“That’s awesome,” she says enthusiastically before noticing the sorrow in my eyes. “I think…” she adds.

Her face darkens.

“Or you can move in with James Sexton,” she jokes, trying to cheer me up.

Silently, I look down.

“I’m so sorry... Did you tell him?” she asks, touching my arm.

I sway my head from side to side.

“No.”

“Shit. That’s not good, Rain…”

“It is what it is,” I say, still averting my eyes.

A few moments pass.

“Are you sure moving to New York will be good for you?” she asks softly, her hand sliding over mine. “Maybe you should wait until your book is released, and perhaps things will change after that.”

I shake my head again.

“I can’t wait. And things won’t change anyway. My father doesn’t know yet, but once I tell him about James, he’ll be against him. And if I go against my parents’ wishes, I’ll need to support myself, which I’m trying to do regardless of how this story goes. If I don’t do that, I'll need to rely on James, live with him, and force myself into his life. I might not have much experience, but I can’t think of a faster way to get him bored with me. Me depending entirely on him would make me undesirable at some point. On top of that, I have to deal with my sister and her stupid theatrics.”

“She’s a bully. You shouldn’t let her affect your life. You should push back.”

“I do. But she does affect my life because I can’t stop her.”

She makes a dismissive gesture.

“Bullies will be bullies… At least stop thinking about her so much. It’s not worth it… So when do you plan to talk to your dad?”

“I have to tell him before the end of the week, or Daria will. He just got back from a business trip, so I’m waiting for a good moment.”

“There’s no such thing.”

“I know.”

“What about James?”

“He’s not going to be happy,” I murmur, a bad feeling hovering over me.

21

JAMES

“He didn’t want to budge,”I say, cold as ice.

“Are you fucking kidding me?”

Lex’s voice drifts through the air as he walks in.

I slam the office door closed, head to my desk, and lean against it, my arms folded on my chest.

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