Page 365 of The Sinner: James

“Yes.”

The woman nods and retreats before I bring my glass of wine to my lips.

“Life is good,” Eve says, listening to the soothing crickets.

“Yes, it is,” I murmur, setting my drink on the table and shifting my eyes to the house––the mansion I’ve lived in these past four years.

Designed by one of the most reputable architects in the country, the house has been photographed for spreads in high-end lifestyle magazines numerous times, and yet it comes with so many empty rooms.

“Something’s bothering you...” she says.

I move my gaze to Eve.

A soft smile tugs at her lips.

“That’s why you wanted me to be here with you,” she says.

I study her face, my mind drifting away.

“It wasn’t only that.” I hold her gaze. “I knew you hadn’t had a vacation in a while.”

“And what else?”

She smiles.

“I hoped we could spend some time together. And talk...” I add just as the woman brings us the dessert.

She sets the bowls of ice cream on the table and the fruit and whipped cream on the side before walking away.

Eve plops a few dollops of cream onto the ice cream and takes a mouthful of dessert.

She chews slowly, moaning.

“Perfection.”

I sink my spoon into the sweet treat.

“Let me guess...” she says before I get the chance to speak. “From what I’ve gathered before…”

She pauses and dabs her lips with a napkin.

“It must have to do with James.”

I shake my head.

“There’s nothing wrong with James and me. I’ve told you already,” I say, removing that possibility.

Quietly, she observes me.

I leave my spoon in the bowl and sip more wine.

“What makes you say that, anyway?” I ask.

“I didn’t say things were bad between the two of you. I only said it had to do with him,” she says, grinning softly.

“What are you talking about?”

She slips more ice cream into her mouth and speaks.

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