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.

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

Jasper stepped out of the

Beckett." Alyssa

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

speak but could not make

taste was a slight bitterness

she was someone who got cold quite

the temperature dropped, she loved to snuggle in his arms and use his hands as her source of heat; his hands kept her warm regardless

didn't hope to hear any words of concern

so, she

do you have time for achat?" Jasper pursed

chat in

you." Alyssa was very courteous

way of speech sounded a little

and sensible

made space for this pair of ex-lovers to spend time together by getting

your birthday tomorrow," Alyssa spoke up first to break the

Jasper looked askance at

He gulped silently.

didn't need any gifts when Alyssa surprised him

remember what you

in a low, deep voice, "Of

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

want you to go on a hike with me tomorrow at 3:00

and asked, "A hike? Where?" "At Crater