Girl Get Rid Of That Jerk by Melissa Johns

Allison couldn't help but feel a cold, resentful stare burning into her from across the table.

Joshua caught Carolyn watching him and, without missing a beat, said in his usual calm voice, "Allie loves fish, but she always manages to get those tiny bones stuck in her throat. So I have to pick them all out for her."

Carolyn just stared at him. Seriously? Who even asked?

I'm pretty sure I didn't, Allison thought, fighting the urge to laugh and grimacing instead.

She hadn't meant to make things awkward or show off in front of Carolyn. But come on it was obvious Joshua was doing it on purpose.

Carolyn was even paying for this meal. Hopefully, she wouldn't come back to kill Allison afterward.

With her hyperactive conscience, Allison felt like she was sitting on a bed of nails the whole time. But what could she do? She really did think of Carolyn as a friend.

After dinner, Joshua insisted on walking Allison back to her office, while Carolyn headed off on her own.

When they got to the building, Joshua leaned down and brushed a soft kiss against her forehead. "Allie, I won't go up-there's still stuff I need to handle at work."

Allison looked up at him. "Did you do that on purpose just now?"

He played innocent. "Do what?"

"You know-showing off in front of Carolyn. Peeling my shrimp, picking out fish bones, the whole thing."

if she weren't there, I'd still do

you to be the shrimp-peeling type," Allison suddenly remembered ever since she and Joshua started dating, he'd always done that for her whenever they went out for seafood. Picking out fish

Joshua beat her to it. "But I did want her to see. I want her to realize you're the only one I care about. Hopefully, she'll give up on me

that morning, Allison hesitated before saying, "Did

expression turned cold.

invite him to her birthday, but

Allison didn't really

noticed her awkwardness. "What's wrong?" he asked

shoes. "She invited me to her

to go?" Joshua's tone softened. "If you don't, you don't have

going," Allison admitted.

"What is it?"

to bring

at her. "And what do you

hesitated, then nodded. "I already told

go with

searching his

be?" His eyes

།

but I still agreed to bring you to her birthday. Doesn't that make you