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."

...

the night of the party, Allison wore an understated black strapless gown. It was

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

of friendly conversations later, Allison had locked in some major cases—each

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

slowed. She

from Switzerland— he's the general manager at their

every

his navy

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

Allison replied, her tone

dad up to? Was this some kind of

caught the tension but just grinned. "You

answered. "Brian invited

You two chat-I've got something to take care of." And with that,

to sigh. She'd thought tonight

was Brian's college 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