Page 278 of The Sinner: James

“Rain...” he murmurs.

“Lex.”

“May I come in?” he says, nodding softly toward the apartment.

“Sure,” I say, spinning around.

I walk in front of him, the heat of his stare trailing down my back. I show him to the table before he pulls out a chair and takes a seat.

“Would you like something to drink?” I ask.

“No. I’m fine,” he says in a mellow voice.

I pour myself a glass of water and slip into a chair across from him.

He glances around, taking in the flowers.

“Special event, huh?” he asks, locking my gaze.

“It’s my birthday.”

His face lights up with a smile.

“Oh. Happy Birthday!”

He pushes to his feet, prompting me to rise out of my seat as well.

“I wish I knew it was your birthday,” he says before looping an arm around my waist and pulling me into his chest.

Cupping my face, he places a gentle kiss on my cheek.

We briefly look into each other’s eyes before breaking away.

“Are you here because of him?” I ask, sliding back into my seat.

He unbuttons his jacket, takes a seat across from me, and leans back in his chair, his eyes connecting with mine.

“I’m here because of you,” he says, studying my eyes for a moment. “He doesn’t know I’m here. He’d kill me if he knew,” he says, the tension in his voice a testament to the seriousness of his words.

“I’m sorry...” I murmur.

Without saying anything else, he glances out the window.

“How is he?” I ask.

His attention comes back to me.

“The same.”

A soft smile curls his lips.

He pauses, his eyes glinting nostalgically before he speaks again.

“Do you remember when I said you’d mine if you didn’t choose him?”

“Do you still believe that?” I ask softly.

“Yeah... I do. You know it’s true,” he murmurs, sadness gleaming in his eyes.

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