Page 385 of The Sinner: James

Their hookup would’ve been a disaster.

She was––and still is––an innocent woman at her core, with a bit of wildness and a visceral need to be loved.

That’s a tough combination, and it takes a determined man to ignite passion in her.

Despite what she’s saying, she needs a kind, loving man.

Unfortunately, things didn’t work out for her, but there’s no point in dwelling on it. The past is the past.

That part of her life is gone.

Her eyes express sadness as she observes the man next to her. Ed talks to James while she drinks him in. Her thoughts must be mirroring mine.

Her innate ability to register the slightest nuances in someone’s behavior only fuels her torment.

“So, what are we celebrating?” I ask as the sommelier retreats.

James lifts his glass of wine, and we all follow his example.

His eyes are locked with Ed’s.

“We’re celebrating the best news I’ve gotten the entire year,” James says.

Smiling, he flicks his chin up, motioning to Ed.

“Take it from here, man,” James says to him.

Eve and I swivel our heads, our glasses held up in the air as we all wait for Ed to speak.

“Thea and I are having a baby,” he says without a formal introduction.

I can’t tell whose mouth drops open first.

Mine? Or Eve’s?

All I know is that we both gasp.

“What?” I murmur, surprised.

My hand descends unexpectedly, and my glass is now on the table as I digest the news.

Eve’s face displays a cocktail of emotions. Shock, surprise, regret, perhaps. Again. And then shock... Again.

Grinning, Ed tips his chin down, confirming the fantastic news.

“Yes. I also proposed to her, and she said yes.”

“Congratulations, man,” James says, cutting through the cloud of muted surprise hovering over our table.

Eve pulls her mouth shut and lifts her drink, clinking Ed’s glass with a trembling hand.

“Congratulations. I’m so happy for you,” she says, genuinely happy.

Her voice is shaky too.

She leans to him and kisses his cheek, and I do the same, although I’m not so good at erasing the expression of puzzlement from my face.

I don’t know why it affects me so badly, but it does.

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