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."

...

wore an understated black strapless gown. It was classic and

and bigwigs from companies that worked with Owens International. Most of them

and a handful of friendly conversations later, Allison had locked

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

looked every bit

his navy suit,

champagne in greeting, smiling. "We

replied, her

was her dad up to? Was this some kind of

just grinned. "You two know

answered. "Brian invited

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

urge to sigh. She'd thought tonight was about work,

friend, but Allison had mostly kept to herself during school-library days, quiet hangouts with Sabrina and Olivia never the big group dinners. She'd only met Eason for the