Girl Get Rid Of That Jerk by Melissa Johns

Allison gave a quick, "Okay."

Willow's husband was crouched by the stove, feeding the fire. Brooklyn, meanwhile, was off to the side, entertaining Willow's two-year-old son, Harry.

After finishing up with the veggies, Allison glanced over her shoulder and caught sight of Brooklyn and Harry playing together. She raised an eyebrow and grinned. "Wow, Brooklyn, I never pictured you as someone who actually likes kids."

Brooklyn always had that icy vibe about her-sharp, distant, not exactly the warm and fuzzy type. Liking kids just didn't seem like her thing.

With a completely straight face, Brooklyn dangled a superhero toy in front of Harry. "He's kind of entertaining," she said flatly.

Allison: "..."

Willow and her husband: "..."

The whole room seemed to freeze.

Silence.

The kind of silence that makes you want to crawl under the table.

few seconds ticked by before Allison let out an awkward laugh and turned to Willow. "Sorry about her. Seriously, don't mind Brooklyn-she's just not great with words. She meant Harry is cute,

half amused, half confused.

"She hardly ever hangs out with kids. It's

around the round table. Just

the screen. "It's a number from Oak Lake. Is that

"No idea. Maybe.

up. "Hello? Can I

Allison. "Yep, she's here with me." She handed over the phone. "It's for you-says

took the phone.

heard a relieved sigh

voice filled her ear-warm, a little rough

I've been trying

she could say

kept going, his words tumbling out. "I called you over a hundred times today. Nothing went through, and you didn't answer any of my texts. I was going crazy. I even called Olivia and Sabrina, but they didn't know where you were swung

in Havenbrook. I've been freaking out. Allie, why couldn't I get ahold of you?

on her lip. "I'm fine. My phone

spoke, his voice was low and a little hurt. "You couldn't

fell in last night. It hasn't even been a full day -not even twenty-four hours! How was I supposed to