Her Perfect Pleasure. Lindsay Evans

took a breath, then swept her gaze around the entire top floor. Yes, she could easily sell this. With the way the real estate market was right now, if she listed the house at even a decent asking price, it would probably get an offer in less than a week. Then it would be out of her life for good. Just like her parents.

      She took another breath. “You ready?”

      Dee looked confused. “Sure. But that’s it? That’s all you wanted to do? Literally just look around?”

      “Of course. And now I’m finished.” She rattled the keys in her hand. “Let’s go.”

      For a moment, Dee looked like she was going to ask more questions, but she just huffed and stomped down the stairs while Jade followed her on more silent feet.

      This was the house her parents left behind. Now gutted and rearranged and looking like something Jade had never seen before.

      This was all that was left of them. This was all that was left of the life she’d lived with them. Just a giant empty space. She swallowed hard.

      A sharp pain spasmed under her breastbone and Jade rubbed over the spot. No, she was not sad. It was all just finally over.

      She got into the car and started the powerful engine while Dee huffed some more in the passenger seat. “That was so lame,” the girl said.

      “Probably. I didn’t promise you any excitement on this outing.”

      I don’t even recall inviting you along, Jade thought but kept that last bit to herself.

      “So true.” Dee buckled herself in. “Fine.” Her phone beeped and she reached into her back pocket for it. Staring at the phone, she made a happy noise. Her eyes gleamed when she looked up at Jade. “You wanna go someplace I want now?”

      What was the alternative? Head back to the hotel and work? Drive herself crazy wondering why her parents gutted the house they loved so much? Try not to think about Carter and all the ways he effortlessly destroyed her peace of mind?

      Jade shrugged and gave Dee her most carefree smile. “Sure.”