Page 277 of The Sinner: James

“What time do you want me to pick you up?”

“Any time you want. I only need a few minutes to get dressed.”

“Okay. I’ll see you later.”

I hang up the phone and walk into the shower.

Half an hour later, I enter the walk-in closet and search the racks. I pull out a black dress tailored to my body.

It has long bell sleeves and a flared bottom.

Fairly short, it stops mid-thigh, a gem-encrusted brooch sitting at the tip of the plunging V-neckline, matching the dangling earrings attached to my earlobes.

My hair is longer than it used to be, reaching my waist.

I slip into a pair of heels when the phone rings again.

“Yes?”

Silence grows at the other end of the line.

I glance at the screen, checking the number.

“Neil?”

I hear him mumbling words in the background.

“Neil?”

“Miss Morgan. I’m sorry,” he says nervously. “You have a visitor.”

A wave of heat shoots down my spine.

No client is supposed to come to my place.

“What visitor? Do you have a name?”

“Yes. Mr. Alexander Harrington,” he says hesitantly, making sure he pronounces it correctly.

My heart skips beats.

“Okay. Let him in.”

I slip my phone onto the table and walk to the door, where I stand still for a moment, grappling with mixed emotions.

My fingers tremble, and my knees are soft.

Quietly, he knocks on the door. I swing it open, and our eyes connect instantly.

He takes me in, his blue eyes beaming with light as if the sun exploded in them.

My eyes dip, registering the perfect cut of his gray wool suit setting off his athletic frame with distinction and elegance.

I swing my gaze up.

A grin sparkles in his eyes.

It’s hard to resist his charm, so I smile back.

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