Page 265 of The Sinner: James

Common sense tells me they should be here any moment, although plenty of surrogates could show up to fulfill their social obligations.

I shift my focus to my plate, and Eve cups my hand under the table somewhat warningly.

“Rain?” she says quietly, her voice catching.

I tip my gaze to her.

“What?”

Her expression is more than telling.

“Don’t look. Don’t look…” she slips to me under her breath, her eyes trained on something or someone in the distance.

And yet, that’s exactly what I’m doing. I swivel and crane my neck, my eyes drawn to the entrance.

Three silhouettes stand out in the crowd, their hair coming into view first. Blonde, brown, and brunette. And then, their grinning faces fill my view. And their impeccable tuxedos.

And...

Oh, fuck.

Everything comes to a halt as if time freezes, and the noise of the crowd no longer makes it to my ears, fading into the background like my surroundings.

All I hear is the distinct beats of my panicked heart and its rushed pounding in my ears.

And all I feel is the shivers moving down my back.

Three beautiful women are linked to their arms.

The blonde draped over James’ arm wears a red dress. The redhead connected to Lex’s arm is clad in an emerald gown, while the brunette attached to Ed’s hand sports a white outfit.

“Oh, my God,” I murmur, feeling Eve’s grip, her fingers squeezing mine.

“Rain?”

Her voice sounds like a whimper, begging me not to react. She clings to me as if she knows I am about to bolt.

“What a fucking mistake,” I murmur, dumbfounded.

“What?” Eve asks, breathing half of her lungs out.

“How can I be so stupid? I shouldn’t have come,” I say to myself.

“What are you talking about?”

I finally glance at Eve, whose eyes darken with concern, flashing a lot of questions.

“I need to leave. I can’t explain it to you now.”

“Explain what?” she asks as I pull my hand out of her lock. “Rain. You can’t leave me here...”

“We’ll talk later,” I say, rising to my feet.

My eyes tear off her perplexed face as I push the chair back and scurry away. Reluctantly, I veer toward the main door, which, unfortunately, is the only way out.

A big group of people surrounds them and their dates. Amongst them, some town officials, all anxious to greet them.

Ed spots me first.

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