Girl Get Rid Of That Jerk by Melissa Johns

Allison shook her head. "I'm not hungry yet. You go ahead-I'll eat later."

Across the table, John was happily slurping his noodles, making those loud, satisfied sounds. "Wow, this is really good!"

Joshua glanced at Allison, a little concerned.

Allison gave him a small, tired smile. "I just woke up. My stomach's not ready for food yet. You eat."

Only then did Joshua finally pick up his chopsticks and start to eat.

It had been ages since he'd had noodles made by Allison. He'd missed this. The taste was exactly like he remembered.

When Joshua and John arrived, they each had a suitcase and a backpack. The car could only make it as far as the end of the paved road-after that, it was muddy and impossible to drive. John picked out a couple of changes of clothes, tossed them in his backpack, and carried it the rest of the way.

After dinner, they all took showers, changed into clean clothes, and finally got some sleep.

The rescue team came by, handing out emergency supplies and clearing away the mud, rocks, and debris that had blocked off the roads. The power lines in the village got fixed, too.

Joshua woke up to find it was already four in the afternoon.

sunlight streaming

second-floor window, he spotted Allison in the yard, eyes closed, face

smile. For some reason, seeing Allie soaking up the sun made him think of a little turtle basking on a rock, stretching its neck out, completely

it was

vel

from Havenbrook, things between Allison and Joshua had shifted, even if neither of them said it out loud. Mostly it was Allison who'd changed. She wasn't so cold anymore, and the way she talked to

Even Carolyn had noticed.

the

What's going on with you and Joshua? You used to treat

couldn't help smiling. "What

it more than

was a pile of paperwork. Now your eyes get all sparkly like you just saw a

dodged, grinning. “I'm just going to

of

did you forget we're supposed to be rivals? What kind of interrogation is

would I be thinking about?" Carolyn