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."

...

an understated black strapless gown. It was classic and conservative-elegant without showing much

companies that worked with Owens International. Most of them were the

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

Javier guided her over to a younger man waiting

slowed.

just got back from Switzerland— he's the general manager at their family

looked every bit the

in his navy suit,

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

replied, her tone

was her dad up to? Was this some

caught the tension but just grinned.

Eason answered. "Brian invited us both

You two chat-I've got something to take care of."

sigh. She'd thought tonight was about

Olivia never the big group dinners. She'd