CHAPTER 032: At Jessica's

The faint scent of something spicy fills the air. As Desiree flicks on the light switch, the scene that greets us in the living room is unexpected, to say the least.

There, in front of the kitchen counter, a petite woman is swaying to a rhythm only she can hear, her back turned to us. Earbuds are snugly tucked into her ears, and she’s completely lost in her own world, stirring a pot of what looks like instant ramen while performing an energetic little dance.

I glance at Desiree, raising an eyebrow. “I’m guessing that’s the infamous Jessica?”

“Yeah, that’s her. Always a one-woman show.”

Jessica spins around. Her eyes widen when she spots us standing in the doorway, and she nearly drops the wooden spoon in her hand. She yanks the earbuds out, blinking rapidly.

“Desiree!” she squeals. “I didn’t hear you come in.”

Desiree steps forward, hands on her hips. “I’ve been trying to call you for ages! You didn’t pick up, so I thought you’d disappeared on me or something.”

Jessica waves a dismis