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 conservative-elegant

moved through the crowd with her, introducing her to CEOs and bigwigs from companies that worked with Owens International. Most of them were

of friendly conversations later, Allison

over to a

steps slowed. She recognized

Grant's second son. He just got back from Switzerland—

every bit the

in his

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

Allison replied, her

dad up to?

but just grinned. "You two know

Eason answered. "Brian invited

got something to take care of." And

urge to sigh. She'd thought tonight

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