Page 375 of The Sinner: James

Her hand makes a horizontal motion across her neck, suggesting, yet again, that I’m dead.

She snatches my phone from my hand, turns the speaker off, and brings it to her ear.

“Just so you know, I didn’t chicken out. As I told Rain, I’m willing to try something new with someone new. Or maybe two new men. I didn’t plan to have a threesome, but I wouldn’t say no if I had the opportunity to do it.”

My eyes stay glued to her face. She’s tensed and freaked out, her expression slowly changing.

“James…? Are you still there?” she murmurs, a frown creasing her brow.

A few moments pass.

She looks at me, baffled.

I shrug.

“James? Oh, there you are... Yes? You heard me. Uh-huh. Okay.”

A smile tilts her lips.

“I will. Sure... Okay... Bye.”

She hands me my phone as if it burns her fingers.

“What did he say?” I ask, covering the microphone.

“He said I should try it at least once. If I need tips, you’re the expert to consult, but he thinks finding the right man would be more valuable than a threesome with two strangers,” he says in one breath before slumping back in her chair. “Easier said than done,” she mutters while I lift my phone to my ear.

“Thanks for giving me credit,” I say to James, humor lining my voice.

“Whenever credit is due. What is she doing?”

I flick my gaze to Eve.

“She’s dying in her seat. I hope she does what she says.”

Hugging her knees, she laughs quietly.

“Where are you?” I ask seriously this time.

“I’m on my way. I’ll land in an hour and arrive at the hotel around seven. Ed should be back around the same time, and I’ll meet him before dinner. He’s unusually secretive about this thing, so I’ll follow his lead and talk to him before meeting everybody else at the restaurant. Did you have fun this week?”

“It was great,” I say.

“You sound good. Relaxed.”

“I love this place,” I say, looking at the water in the distance and the buildings on the shore.

It’s quiet too.

“And Eve is great company,” I say, shifting my eyes to my friend and giving her a tender smile. “Aside from her threesome musing moments,” I say, poking fun at her. “She misses having a man to her taste,” I add, a beach towel flying my way.

“Stop doing that,” she grumps, yet still smiling.

“Did you miss me?” he asks.

A faint grin slides across my lips.

“I always miss you, James, and this week was no different...” I say softly, my eyes linked with Eve’s, who looks at me somewhat concerned.

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