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."

...

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

her to CEOs and bigwigs from companies that worked with Owens

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

over to a younger man waiting by

steps slowed. She recognized

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

every

in his navy suit,

He lifted his champagne in greeting,

Allison replied, her tone

up to? Was this

the tension but just grinned. "You two know each

"Brian invited us

to take care of." And with that,

resisted the urge to sigh. She'd thought tonight was

Allison had mostly kept to herself during school-library days, quiet hangouts with Sabrina and Olivia never the big