Page 402 of The Sinner: James

Water shimmers on the floor, forming little puddles at my feet. What’s up with this weather?

The sky was clear moments ago, the sunset spellbinding as always, and now it’s hell outside.

Leaning forward, I peek through the wall of windows.

Sprinkled with raindrops, the grass gleams, clouds of petals spinning in the air.

The view is beautiful, despite the nasty weather.

I gaze away from the window and walk back to the bed.

From the bowl sitting on the nightstand, I pick a blueberry and pop it into my mouth before taking a sip of cold coffee and sliding onto the bed.

I place my laptop on my lap and start typing.

A few more words pour onto the page, and my mind wanders away. Slowly, I move my eyes to my thigh-high socks before focusing on my phone.

What time is it in Singapore?

No. I don't want to think about that.

I should get back to work.

I barely type another sentence before my phone hums on the bed. I snatch it up and tip my gaze down. Eve’s name flashes across the screen.

Oops, a video call.

“What’s my favorite author doing?” she asks, smiling.

I laugh.

“Squirming.”

“How many chapters until you finish your book?”

“Seven.”

“Oh...” she says.

I hear the cadence of her steps against the sidewalk.

“Where are you?”

“I just finished work, and I’m going to the gym.”

“Good girl.”

She chuckles, entertained.

“It has nothing to do with me being dedicated. We got a new instructor in the spinning class, and he’s kind of cute. It makes the time go by faster.”

“I see.”

“What’s new with you?”

I swing my arm––my phone clutched in my grip–– and give her a view of my room.

“I’m working. The weather sucks. The house is empty. You know... The usual stuff.”

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