Page 217 of The Sinner: James

Later, we get seated at the table, Ed and James flanking me.

Within minutes, people stop at the table and start chatting with them. At one point, James and Lex leave their seats and walk across the room.

I turn to Ed.

“Hey, sweetie,” he says, running his fingers across my cheek. “What have you been up to? I missed you, baby,” he murmurs, smiling warmly.

My cheeks are warm with a blush.

“No, you didn’t,” I say, smiling, amused.

He looks at me solemnly.

“Yes, I did. Why is it so hard to believe?” he says with conviction, giving me no choice but to believe him. “You haven’t been home for a while,” he says, motioning to a server for a drink. “Do you want something to drink?” he asks, glancing at my half-empty glass.

“I’m good.”

The server slides his drink onto the table and smoothly walks away.

Ed takes a sip, his eyes coming back to me.

“I’ve been busy,” I say, not knowing whether anyone has filled him in on the real reason I am here.

“So I’ve heard,” he says, flashing a secret smile.

Seemingly, he knows.

“I don’t blame you, Rain. Life is not always what we expect it to be.”

He shifts his gaze away from me, and I notice the sadness in his eyes.

“What’s new with you?” I ask.

“Not much. Everything’s the same. The business keeps me busy. The Casino in particular.”

“How’s your mother?”

He stares blankly at his drink, his eyes darkening.

“She passed away this summer,” he says, suppressing his emotions.

“I’m sorry,” I murmur, sliding my hand over his.

He smiles.

“It’s fine. I knew it would happen and made peace with it.”

He pauses, a different expression sliding over his face.

“How’s life in New York?” he asks. “Aside from what you’re doing for a living,” he adds, no innuendo.

“There’s not much else. Eve, my friend from back home, lives here too, but she’s busy with her life, so we rarely see each other. My family is scattered everywhere, and we hardly keep in touch with each other these days. That’s pretty much it.”

His gaze stays connected with mine for a few seconds before he motions to the dance floor.

“Do you want to dance?” he asks, pushing out of his seat.

“Sure.”

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