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.

awkward laugh and turned to Willow. "Sorry about her. Seriously, don't mind Brooklyn-she's just not great with

half confused.

ever hangs

dinner was ready, everyone gathered around the round table. Just as they

a number from

Maybe. Just answer

up. "Hello? Can

at Allison. "Yep, she's here with me." She handed over the phone. "It's

the phone.

heard a relieved sigh on the other

filled her ear-warm, a

trying to reach you all

she could say

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 by your

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

"I'm fine. My phone just... fell in

second, Joshua didn't say anything. When he finally spoke, his voice was low and a little hurt. "You couldn't borrow someone's phone to

day -not even twenty-four hours! How was I supposed