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 yet, Aunt

old are

"I'll be twenty-seven soon."

goodness, you're not getting any younger! Why aren't you dating?" Rose sighed in a mock-exasperated way. "How about I introduce you to some eligible guys? My friend's son is a year older than you-he just moved back from overseas. Want

her

Rose's mind, Allie was the only possible daughter-in- law. No matter how accomplished Carolyn was, Rose was never going to root for her and

I like," Carolyn replied, forcing

"Oh? Who

smiling. "You know him

grinned. "Then bring him over next time and let me check him out for you." "Sure, I will," Carolyn

Joshua finally came

assistant, John. The other,

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

talk about the, partnership, another day? I'

tone was chilly. "Did you

flash drive and handed it over. "It's all

didn't even move to

stepped in, taking

plugging it

pulling up the