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.

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

out of

Alyssa smiled slightly at

her face, which had turned red from the cold, he could tell that

speak but could not make a

taste was a slight bitterness

someone who got cold quite

hands as her source of heat; his hands kept her warm regardless of the time of

didn't hope to hear any

she didn't

have time for achat?" Jasper pursed

in my car."

Alyssa was very

way of speech sounded a little

sensible demeanor

spend time together

Alyssa spoke up first to

Jasper looked askance

He gulped silently.

that he didn't need any

what you promised me?"

low,

"Then, it's time for you to fulfill that promise." She clenched her hands, her gaze

want you to go on a hike with me tomorrow at 3:00 p.m." Jasper

narrowed his eyes and asked, "A hike? Where?" "At Crater