Can’t Win Me Back

Xavier was confused.

He caught the tie bar in his hands and asked, " What's this, Mr. Beckett?" Jasper closed his eyes to rest.

He tugged at his tie knot but still felt suffocated.

"It was from Sheryl,"' he answered.

Xavier let out a cry.

"This filthy thing is from that wild woman? I don't want it!" With a disgusted look on his face, Xavier hurled the tie bar aside.

" I'm already seeing someone.

I don't want my girlfriend to misunderstand me." "Girlfriend?" "Yeah, Mr. Beckett.

Maggie is my girlfriend." With his eyes closed, Jasper frowned.

"She's become of age?" Xavier didn't know how he should react.

"She's already in university, Mr. Beckett.

Am I that much of an animal in your eyes?" Suddenly, the memory of himself and Alyssa rescuing Maggie flashed through Jasper's mind.

Just then, Xavier exclaimed in surprise, "Mr. Beckett, look!" Jasper opened his eyes slowly, and his heart jolted.

Standing alone before his car was Alyssa, framed against the piercing headlights, snow swirling around her.

her dark hair, and she looked almost fragile as if the wind

Jasper stepped out of the car

Alyssa

cold, he could tell that she had been wandering outdoors

speak but could not

a slight bitterness at the back of his

someone

in his arms and use his hands as her source of heat; his hands kept

hear any words of

she

do you have time

chat in my

was very courteous to

her way of speech

mature and sensible demeanor

this pair of ex-lovers to spend time together by getting out of the car to wait

your birthday tomorrow," Alyssa spoke up first to

looked askance at

He gulped silently.

that he didn't need any gifts when Alyssa surprised him with her

remember what you promised me?"

answered in a low, deep voice,

you to keep your promise." "Then, it's time for you to fulfill that promise." She

go on a hike with me tomorrow at 3:00

and asked, "A hike?