Girl Get Rid Of That Jerk by Melissa Johns

Chapter 2

[Shawn, I've been in a few relationships over the past few years, but none of them lasted. It always felt like something was missing. Only later did I realize that deep down, I've always loved you.]

[I was scared to come back to Havenbrook because I worried you might still resent me, wouldn't want to see me. I don't want to see someone else in your life, and realize that you might not love me anymore.]

[What happened to us was my mistake, Shawn. Can you forgive me?]

Allison read the messages quietly, feeling a heavy weight settle in her chest. She was just about to close the chat window and walk away when Shawn's reply appeared.

Shawn: [Kate, I just need to know one thing: do you still love me?]

He left his computer on to receive her messages and even replied from his phone while in the shower.

Allison's heart gave a small, painful flutter. Shawn was always busy with work and often didn't have time to reply to her messages. She'd gotten used to it and barely messaged him now to avoid disturbing him. But for Kate, Shawn found time, even in the shower.

The difference was glaringly obvious.

Kate replied almost immediately: [Yes, I only love you.]

Shawn: [Okay, I'll come pick you up.]

In that moment, Allison felt like her three-year relationship was a complete joke. She quietly closed the chat window, put the mouse back in its place, and acted like nothing had happened.

stomach, so she had learned to make this special soup for him. She'd

labor of love, time-consuming and tedious, but she had been making it for him for

He had showered, dried

you when

responded softly, "Just went for a

to run out for a bit.

looked down and

back

a moment, and then replied, "There's something urgent at work. If it

didn't make

was always so

on his shoes, and left without a

and saw the bowl

her arranged

when are you coming back

kind older brother next door. When he called her Allie, it felt more

wrap

let me know if

Allison: [Thanks, Joshua.]

some rest.

Shawn didn't come