Girl Get Rid Of That Jerk by Melissa Johns

As Linda walked in with a thermos, her eyes landed on the small charm Watson was holding, and she stopped in her tracks. She knew that charm well. It was something you'd only get after a long, devoted journey to the church. Years back, when Allison's mom, Savannah, was really sick, Javier had made that same journey to get one for her. Sadly, it hadn't been enough to save her life, and thinking about it now made Linda's heart ache a bit.

"Watson," Linda said softly, a bit surprised, "Did you get this charm yourself?" She gazed at the charm, her eyes distant, as if she were staring right through it into

the past.

Watson, still deeply focused on Allison, just nodded.

taken aback. Once she gathered her thoughts,

She knew him

Allison. But since Allison insisted they were just friends, Linda hadn't dug any deeper. Now, seeing this charm, everything clicked into place. Watson's feelings for her daughter Allie were way beyond just friendship. He was

down. She accepted the charm, carefully avoiding Watson's eyes, and

Any chance between Joshua and Allie seemed to be truly over. As Allie's long-time best friend, Sabrina could tell Allie hadn't fully moved on from Joshua. Seeing everything unfold like this,

the situation. Her days were filled with a

Ray had come back to Oak Lake for three days before heading back to the capital. The day after he returned, he left the country for a diplomatic visit. These important matters had been planned months in advance, and changing them