Page 292 of The Sinner: James

Quietly, she ponders.

“You owe her that much,” I say, sensing her on the fence. “If she blows me off, I’ll just forget about her, as I said before.”

“Okay,” she says.

“So, who’s helping her with her business?”

She looks at me, tight-lipped.

“You don’t have to tell me,” I say, breaking my gaze away from hers.

“David Moore,” she finally says, and my chest turns hollow.

8

RAIN

Colorado

“What about these?”I say, picking up two more cocktail dresses.

Eve glances at them, touching the fabric.

Pursing her lips, she runs a critical eye on them.

“I like both of them.”

“How is it, girls? Did you find something that you like?” Maggie, the boutique owner, asks, walking to us.

“Yes, we did,” Eve says, pointing at her selection.

“Oh, I love those dresses. And the fabric feels so nice,” Maggie says.

Smoothly, she picks them up and takes them to the fitting room.

“How’s Rene?” she tosses over her shoulder as Eve, and I enter the room as well.

“She’s good. Thank you for asking. She’s happy that I’m home,” Eve says.

“I’m happy to see you back as well. Both of you. Rain, you too. I haven’t seen you in a while. Any news from your mother?”

“She’s enjoying her new life at the beach.”

Maggie breathes out a chuckle.

“Mmm… I’d love to do that. Who knows? Maybe I’ll sell the store someday and move closer to the ocean. The harsh weather can be too much after a while.”

We all agree.

“Anyway, let me know if you need anything else,” Maggie says before leaving the fitting room.

I close the door, and for the next few minutes, Eve tries on several outfits while I help her, giving her suggestions.

She settles for a red satin dress and a blue chiffon frock that highlights her wavy dark hair and sea-like eyes.

“Which one do you think he’d like?” she asks.

“Why do you care?”

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