Page 227 of The Sinner: James

“I didn’t choose you… My heart did.”

14

RAIN

In frontof Lex’s suite.

James raps hardon the door.

Lex swings it open, his face flooded with concern.

“Where the fuck were you?”

He moves his eyes to me and catches sight of my smile, his angst instantly fading.

He steps back and invites us in.

We walk inside.

My cheeks burn, the specks of snow dripping from my hair melting.

James takes off my jacket before slipping out of his.

“I called you,” Lex says to him.

“She’s here,” James replies.

“I was worried about you, too,” Lex adds, glancing at him.

Shirtless, Ed walks into the room, his jeans barely clinging to his butt.

“What did I miss?” he asks, his eyes darting back and forth between us.

I hand him the box of cookies.

“Oh. I love cookies.”

Lex rolls his eyes behind Ed’s back, and I barely crush a smile.

“Thank you,” Ed says, snaking an arm around me.

He kisses me on my cheek, a scent of aftershave rolling over my face.

“Go put some clothes on,” Lex says, cuffing the back of his neck and pulling him away from me.

Walking backward, Ed winks at me and glances at James, who looks at him, arms crossed over his chest.

Ed shoots his hands up in the air.

“What? It’s not fair. Why does it have to be me? Why am I the only one left out?”

“You’ll get over it,” Lex says curtly, glancing at James, who studies me, reserved.

Moments later, we all have dinner together, and close to midnight, we leave Lex’s suite and return to James’ place.

He brings the bottle of champagne and glasses to the bathroom while I let the water run, filling the tub.

I take off my robe and lower myself into the water before leaning against the edge.

---