Page 374 of The Sinner: James

“Don’t be a chicken.”

“I’m not a chicken. But thanks. No way I’m talking to him.”

I bring my phone to my ear, my eyes not leaving hers.

“I knew you were all talk, Eve Malone,” I say, teasing her.

My words register with James.

“Put me on speaker.”

I do that.

His voice echoes in the air.

“Eve?”

She melts in her chair, her eyes locked on mine while seeking some encouragement.

“Grow a pair,” I quietly say to her.

She straightens in her seat.

“Yes, James,” she says in a sweet, girlish voice.

“Were they hot?”

She gestures at me again, suggesting that I’m done, dead, once she finishes talking to him.

“Answer,” I nudge her.

“Yes, they were.”

“So why are you still on the beach?”

Her eyebrows wiggle a little.

“Help,” she whispers, looking at me.

“Were they interested in having a threesome with you?” he asks straightforwardly, as he always does.

Her smile drops.

“I don’t know,” she says.

“Did you talk to them?”

“No.”

“Why?”

“I was debating with Rain, and when I looked up again, they were gone.”

“What did Rain tell you?”

Tilting her head to the side, she shoots me a pointed look as in ‘See what you’ve gotten us into?’

“I said I wouldn’t believe it until I see it,” I comment. “She talked a big talk, not like now. She’s cowering in her seat right now,” I say, winking at her.

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