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 those things for

she and Joshua started dating, he'd always done that for her whenever they

"But I did want her to see. I want her to realize you're the

asked her earlier that morning, Allison hesitated before saying,

expression turned cold. "No, I

to invite him to her birthday, but he

answer, Allison didn't really know how to keep

her awkwardness. "What's wrong?"

shoes. "She invited me to her

Joshua's tone softened. "If you don't, you don't

don't mind going,"

"What is it?"

to bring you with

looked at her. "And what do you

hesitated, then nodded. "I already told her

go with

his face. "You're

would I be?" His eyes were filled with nothing but

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she feels about you, but