Page 165 of The Sinner: James

“I don’t know... Your body looks different, your chest is bigger, and your waist seems smaller...” A smile creases her lips. “Oh, no... You didn’t...”

Grinning, I gesture.

“No. I didn’t do anything. They are mine one hundred percent. I work out, though.”

“Good for you.”

She watches me furtively as she chews on her food.

“You look different overall,” she says.

“Different how?” I ask.

“More mature.”

“You mean old.”

“No... Not old.”

My gaze drifts down to her.

“You haven’t changed at all,” I say.

And that’s the truth. Not physically, anyway, but something has changed inside her.

She seems preoccupied and stressed out. She’s no longer the girl I used to know. Carefree and adventurous.

“I’m not sure that’s a good thing,” she says, a pang of sadness threading through her voice.

She sighs.

“What is it?” I ask.

A sad smile tugs at her lips.

“Nothing… Life, I guess,” she says, slipping into a pensive mood.

“What do you mean?” I ask, picking up a piece of cheese from a platter.

“The school is harder than I thought and pricier than I expected. The novelty has worn off quickly, and the prospects for the future aren't that good, either. I've started looking for a part-time job, but no one is hiring right now. Besides, nobody wants someone without some work experience.”

“I know.”

She pauses.

She also seems curious.

“So, what exactly are you doing for a living?”

I look away for a moment.

“Business.”

“What kind of business pays for all this?” she asks, glancing around and pointing at my apartment.

She arches an eyebrow, her lips curving softly. I wish I could tell her the truth, but I fear her reaction.

I’m not ready to share it with her or anyone else.

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