Page 531 of The Sinner: James

I zip through the main door and dart to the backyard to tell everybody to get ready.

Frantic, I make the trip back, open the main door and climb the stairs.

Once I set foot on the ground, I pace myself, trying to control my breathing.

Casually, I walk to the fountain and take my old place, trying to calm down my throbbing heart.

Lights and shadows fall over me as the evening sets in.

I’m sure he’s spotted me already.

His shining car moves slowly as I lift my hand and wave in his direction.

He brings it to a stop not far from me, the window slowly going down.

My knees shake as our eyes connect.

As if knowing something’s up, he reads my eyes and smiles.

He says ‘Hi’ to me, and I wave at him again, my voice gone.

Grinning like a fool, I watch him climb out, his tan and dark hair registering with me.

His eyes are spellbinding.

“Hey, baby...” he says softly, opening his arms and pulling me into his chest.

My world feels right again.

“Hey,” I murmur, tipping my face up and welcoming his kiss.

His scent enters my lungs, tickling my nostrils.

He takes my hand, breaks the kiss, and slides his eyes down.

“I love…" he says and pauses, weighing his words.

I expect a compliment for my dress when he continues.

“I love when you’re outside, waiting for me like that,” he says, his eyes holding mine, his gaze warm, his grin faint.

He notices my smitten eyes and the anticipation written on my parted lips as every part of me vibrates for him.

And then his expression shifts and a different grin slips over his lips.

“You look beautiful,” he says, tipping his gaze down again before looking into my eyes.

I stare at him breathlessly.

“I hope there’s food in the house because I’m hungry,” he says, his eyes glinting warmly.

“Yes, there is,” I say, crawling my way back to reality.

Hand in hand, we walk into the house, and just as we saunter past the doorstep, I realize everybody must’ve seen us.

“Happy Birthday, James!”

Voices explode in every corner of the foyer, followed by cheering and live music.

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