Page 308 of The Sinner: James

“So, what’s the plan?” Ed asks, seriously this time.

“We struck a deal. She lets me spend a week with her, and I get my second chance. If I change her mind and convince her to give the whole idea of us another try, she’ll be mine, and her call-girl days are over. If I fail, she’ll go back to her life, and I’ll go back to mine.”

“Try not to mess things up this time,” Lex says.

“I won’t, but it’s not only up to me.”

“What did she say to you?” Ed asks.

“She’s still resentful, but I hope there’s more in her for me than that.”

“Hey, baby.”

A green-eyed brunette sporting a skintight dress stops at our table. Her hand slides smoothly across my shoulder as she takes a seat next to me.

I brush her hair to the side, cup her face, and whisper a few words in her ear.

She swiftly rises to her feet.

“No problem. Let me know... All right?” she says, winking at me.

Smiling, she waves me goodbye and strolls away.

Lex studies me, grinning faintly.

“I’ll be damned. I never thought I'd see this day.”

I fish out a cigarette from the pack and tap its end against the table.

“What?” I ask, slipping the filtered end between my lips.

I flick the lighter open and run the flame over the tip.

“You haven’t seen what?” I ask, smiling around the cigarette.

Ed flashes a grin, entertained.

“You finally getting serious about a woman.”

“This is not just any woman, and I was always fucking serious about her,” I say in a lighter voice.

“Sexton’s style,” Ed adds, his eyes shifting to his phone.

“Why is he even allowed to talk?” I ask Lex, motioning to Ed, who can’t helps himself and chuckle.

“You fuck it up, Sexton, and I’ll take my shot,” Ed comments, his lips arched into a smile.

His eyes are still on his phone.

“Take it easy, kid. I’m way ahead of you,” Lex says, grinning, and Ed laughs again.

“If I mess it up, which I won’t, she’ll go back where she came from, and that’s that,” I say before silence falls over the table.

* * *

JAMES

The morning isbright and clear, the sunlight gleaming over the meadows.

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