Girl Get Rid Of That Jerk by Melissa Johns

Rose gave a distracted "mm-hmm," only half paying attention as she made small talk with Carolyn.

She could see right through Carolyn's feelings for Joshua.

But honestly, the idea of her son ending up with Carolyn didn't sit well with Rose at all. In her mind, Allie was the only one who belonged in their family.

Just thinking about the mess between Joshua and Allie made her chest feel tight. Now that Chris and Lillian were both behind bars, and Grandma Emily was gone, there was no one left in the family to stand in their way. Except, of course, for Javier-he'd be tough to win over. And Allie herself Rose could only guess what that girl was thinking these days.

If only Joshua and Allie could patch things up. How great would that be?

It had actually been a while since Rose last saw Allie, now that she thought about

it. The thought made her sigh deeply.

Carolyn caught the sigh and shot her a worried look. "Rose, is something bothering you?"

Rose forced a smile, but ended up sighing again. “Oh, I'm just stressing about Joshua. He and Allie broke up and haven't made up, and I keep hoping they'll get back together. I dream about the day Allie finally marries into our family and gives me a grandbaby. Joshua's already thirty and still single-I can't help but worry..."

Carolyn's smile froze, her lips tightening just a bit.

Rose pretended not to notice. She took a sip of tea and, with her best nosy-aunt energy, asked, “Luna, are you seeing anyone these days?"

head. "Not

old are you

"I'll be twenty-seven soon."

you to some

felt her

matter

like," Carolyn replied, forcing

to be surprised. "Oh? Who is he?

played along, smiling. "You know him very

grinned. "Then bring him over next time and let me check him out for you."

Joshua finally came downstairs, two

his assistant, John. The other,

that just now?" Joshua sank into the sofa, ignoring her question. "Why are

"Didn't you say yesterday we'd talk about the, partnership, another day?

"Did

Carolyn pulled out a flash drive and handed it over. "It's all

didn't even move to take

in, taking

Carolyn and plugging it

pulling up the files