Girl Get Rid Of That Jerk by Melissa Johns

Allison's cheeks were blazing, her skin so warm it felt like the heat might spill out through every pore. She was lost in a rush of longing, her whole body wrapped in that heady, electric warmth.

Joshua opened his eyes and let her go.

Allison was still breathless. Her hazy gaze met Joshua's, and his dark, bottomless eyes pulled her in like a whirlpool.

His voice was low, lazy, and just a little smug. "Yeah, it's sweet. But you're

sweeter than any candy."

Allison blushed even harder.

That night, after her shower, Allison lay in bed, heart pounding, wide awake.

The memories of the day played on repeat in her mind-every moment bright and vivid, like scenes from a movie.

They'd kissed twice. Twice, all in one day.

It all felt so unreal, like she'd wandered straight into a dream.

It had been six months since they broke up.

A lot had happened in that time.

She'd always been able to feel Joshua's affection, even when she tried to bury her own feelings. Maybe it was because here, in Greenfield, nobody knew her. There was no pressure from her dad, no old wounds lurking in every corner. The landscape was just so beautiful, so healing, it made her want to finally let go of everything she'd been holding back.

And just like that, her walls crumbled. All the emotions she'd kept bottled up came flooding out, impossible to stop.

night breeze, the way her heart raced out of control -she

and Joshua were back together, she still

had been dragged into the Fisher family mess. Chris had nearly killed them. Now, Javier

fade, replaced by a heavy

let

Meanwhile

in a jar of honey, the sweetness of Allison's

his shower,

fresh from

showing a white silk

lying

"What's with

in

was sprawled on the couch in his hotel room, hair still wet, droplets running down his

wanted to

"Didn't we just

almost

had he become

suite, Allison sharing a twin room with Brooklyn. Even though they were back together, Allison needed time. She wasn't ready

her, and always went

sleep, okay? See you tomorrow,"

eyes were warm. "Goodnight,

"Goodnight."

next three days felt like a dream. Allison and