Girl Get Rid Of That Jerk (Williams and Shawn)

"I heard some girls talking trash about Cindy behind her back once," Carolyn said,

her voice muffled as she pressed her face into her palms. Her shoulders shook

with every quiet sob. "I actually fought with them over it. I really care about her—

not just to make myself look good, like she thinks..."

Allison didn't know what to say, so she just rubbed Carolyn's back gently.

"Maybe I did mess up," Carolyn choked out. "Cindy's so sensitive, so insecure. I

should've thought about her feelings more..."

Allison sighed. "You really have to be careful about who you trust as a friend."

Carolyn cried for a while, and by the time they pulled up to her place, her eyes

were swollen and red.

The car stopped.

Carolyn wiped her tears and managed a wobbly smile. "Thanks, Allison. I

seriously owe you for saving me. If you ever need anything, just tell me, okay?"

Allison smiled back. "Deal. I'll hold you to that."

...

Allison had barely left Carolyn's house when, back at the law office, the

receptionist flagged her down. "Joshua's here for you."

As soon as Allison opened her office door, Joshua shot to his feet and crossed the

room in a few quick steps. Concern was written all over his face as he looked her

up and down. "Allie, are you okay? I heard you got into a fight last night. Did you

get hurt?"

Allison raised an eyebrow. "Who told you that?"

He looked genuinely worried. "A friend at the police department called me."

Allison's expression shifted, unreadable. "Then you probably know it was Carolyn

who got drugged. They were after her, not me. I just helped her out."

Joshua let out a breath, clearly relieved. "Yeah, I heard Carolyn's okay, and the

guys involved all got arrested."

Allison nodded. "I'm fine too. Brooklyn was there—those guys didn't stand a

chance."

"Glad to hear it."

Just then, Joshua's phone started ringing.

He answered quickly, "I'm heading back now," and hung up. Turning back, he

said, "Allie, I bought you some vitamins and supplements. Make sure you take

them, okay? I have to get back to the office, but call me if you need anything."

Allison glanced at the pile of colorful gift boxes on her desk—so many, there was

barely room for anything else.

She tried not to laugh. "I'm not even injured. What's with all this healthy stuff?"

"You don't have to be hurt to take

care of yourself." Joshua reached

over and softly patted her head.

"And Allie—don't risk yourself again,

no matter what."

Allison pressed her lips together and didn't reply.

Joshua left.

Allison just stood there for a

moment, lost in thought. The way

his hand had gently ruffled her

hair—her heart almost stopped.

It had been a long time since they'd been that close.

...

That afternoon, Allison got a call from Grant. He wanted to meet to talk about his

divorce case.

The hearing for Grant and Cindy's divorce was coming up soon.

Allison had everything ready.

Grant had already been discharged from the hospital.

He and Cindy were living apart now, and he'd rented a small apartment for

himself.

When Allison pulled up outside the building and got out of her car, she spotted a

man walking toward her.

It wasn't until he got close that she realized—it was Shawn.noveldrama

He was dressed in cheap clothes

and sneakers, his usual fancy watch

gone. His hair was a mess, not

slicked back or styled, and he hadn't

shaved in days.

Honestly, he looked rough.

When Shawn saw Allison, his eyes brightened for a split second, but then his

expression darkened into a frown.

Brooklyn stepped forward, putting herself between Allison and Shawn.

Shawn's voice was sharp. "Allison, are you really representing my parents in their

divorce?"