Girl Get Rid Of That Jerk by Melissa Johns

The next afternoon, Allison's phone lit up with her dad's name.

Her heart skipped a beat.

Javier had always been dead set against her and Joshua. She'd kept their reconciliation a secret, and now, seeing her dad's name on the screen, panic fluttered in her chest.

Did he know? Was this the "I need to talk to you" call?

Allison's brain shot into overdrive, scrambling for excuses.

But when she answered, Javier sounded calm-maybe even cheerful. "Allie, there's a cocktail party the day after tomorrow. I want you there. I'll introduce you

to some business partners-good connections for your law firm."

Allison let out the breath she'd been holding. Just networking. No drama.

"Sure, Dad. What time? Text me the details."

...

of the party, Allison wore an understated black strapless gown. It was classic and conservative-elegant without showing much

and bigwigs from companies

wine and a handful of friendly conversations later, Allison had locked in some major cases—each worth a small fortune

made the rounds, Javier guided her over to a younger man waiting by the

slowed. She

Uncle Grant's second son. He just got back from Switzerland— he's the general manager at their family company

looked every bit

in his navy suit,

place. He lifted his champagne in greeting, smiling. "We

replied, her

up to? Was this some kind

caught the tension but just

"Brian invited

take care of." And with that, Javier disappeared into the

resisted the urge to sigh. She'd thought

days, quiet hangouts with Sabrina and Olivia never the big group dinners. She'd only met Eason for the first time recently, after