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 might carry

Jasper stepped out of

Beckett." Alyssa smiled slightly at

the cold, he could tell that she

to speak but could not

slight

that she was someone

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

any words of concern from

she didn't

do you have time for achat?" Jasper pursed his

in my car."

you." Alyssa was

way of speech

mature and sensible demeanor

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

up first to

Jasper looked askance

He gulped silently.

didn't need any

you remember what you promised me?" Jasper

a low, deep voice,

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

a hike with me tomorrow at 3:00 p.m." Jasper was

asked, "A hike?