Page 293 of The Sinner: James

Tipping her head to the side, she gives me a small smile.

I grin, amused.

“You’re such a man-pleaser, Eve Malone. It doesn’t matter what he likes. You have to love it, or you’ll feel like crap. That’s something he won’t like for sure.”

“Please?”

“Okay... The red dress will get him hard,” I say bluntly, examining her options.

Her eyes widen in surprise.

I flip my palms up, grinning.

“What?? You wanted to know.”

She shushes me before we both chuckle.

“What is wrong with you?” she says under her breath, shaking her head in disbelief.

A soft knock on the door makes us whip our heads in that direction.

“Are you girls okay?”

“Yes. Maggie?”

The door opens, and the woman sticks her head inside.

“Which one would you pick?” Eve asks, pointing to her two choices.

“I’d go with the red one,” she says before her phone starts ringing, making her pull away.

I look at Eve, grinning.

“I told you.”

“How come I never know this stuff?”

“Because you’re so whipped.”

“I’m not whipped,” she says, smiling. “Although I like Sam.”

“You ‘like’ him, or you ‘love’ him?”

“I think ‘liking him‘ lasts a little longer.”

“You’re probably right,” I say, nodding in agreement.

Minutes later, we slip the shopping bags into the trunk of my rented car and take a stroll downtown.

Bright sunlight beams over the sidewalks, the wind puffing the colorful striped awnings.

More shops and boutiques have popped up on both sides of the street since I walked downtown last time, and beautiful flowers adorn the windows.

I glance around, relishing the calmness of the summer afternoon and the warm light, soothing sounds, and smell of grilled food.

Speaking of which.

“Are you hungry?” I ask.

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