Girl Get Rid Of That Jerk by Melissa Johns

The air was thick with secrecy.

Allison answered the phone, her eyes flicking a warning at Joshua, silently begging him not to make a sound.

He just arched an eyebrow, lips curled in a half-smile, watching her with that infuriating, unreadable expression.

Javier's voice crackled through the phone. "Allie, weren't you supposed to land at six-thirty? Why aren't you home yet? Old Chen said you didn't take his cab-said you left with a friend. Are you coming home for dinner or not?"

Allison kept her tone steady. "Dad, a friend asked me to help out with a couple of cases, so I went to talk things over. We just wrapped up. I'm heading home for dinner now."

"Alright," her dad said. "Your aunt and I are waiting for you."

"Okay." She hung up and finally let herself breathe.

That was way too close.

She'd almost lost it—Joshua made it way too easy to forget herself.

He was still watching her, eyes dancing with amusement, a teasing smile tugging

at his lips. "So, Allie, you're all grown up and your parents still keep you on a leash? It's barely seven and they're already calling you home for dinner."

Allison ignored the dig and kept it businesslike. "I'm heading out. Have someone send these over to my office tomorrow."

just watched her

up and walked away, feeling his gaze follow

room suddenly felt a lot bigger—and a lot

next morning at the law firm, Allison stepped into her office and

five big cardboard boxes sitting right in

were the case

other three? Instantly

The over-the-top, "I missed you"

peeked inside one: a

send over the case files-not the presents.

phone and

away.

get your gifts.

take back gifts. If you don't like

her eyes. Was he serious? She knew that bag-there was no way it cost less than

he had money to

them back to

them back can't use them. They'll just end up in

just hand off the third to whoever else is on your list?

totet him see that.