Page 166 of The Sinner: James

“Daytime trading,” I joke.

We both laugh.

“No, seriously,” she says.

I glance at her before taking a sip of water.

“Is it books?” she asks, unconvinced by my previous answer.

I ponder for a moment. This might work.

“Sort of...”

“Kinky books?”

“Some of it, yes,” I say evasively, relieved she’s found an explanation.

The following question dies out on her lips.

It feels like a truce since we can’t find our way to a place of truth.

Silence fills the next few seconds.

“And other than that? Are you dating anyone now?” she asks, sticking her fork into her food.

“Yeah... A couple of guys. Nothing serious.”

“A couple?” she asks, amused.

I breathe a soft laugh.

“Not at the same time...” I say.

She smirks, disappointed.

“Still one of your fantasies?” I ask.

Her eyebrows shoot up while she nods repeatedly.

“It’s the best that I have…” she murmurs comically, reminding me of her old self. “They have money?”

“They do,” I say, sighing softly. “Yeah, they do have money...”

“That’s good… Well, I’m happy for you,” she says in a more upbeat tone.

“You are?”

“Yes. You’re doing well for yourself... Whatever it is that you’re doing,” she says, training her eyes on her plate. “Honestly, I thought you’d be crushed because of James,” she adds.

The room feels suddenly cold.

Prompted by my silence, she raises her eyes.

Her eyebrows tilt up, her eyes widening in surprise as she takes in my expression.

My eyes probably flash a bit of emotion.

“I was,” I say quietly. “But it was stupid to feel that way.”

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