Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

"A man in a suit?" Maggie looked staggered.
"Oh, I remember now! No wonder he looks familiar. He's that fellow who dropped by for a visit with the young couple last time. I
gave him a good beating then. Yes, it's him! He is acting very suspiciously;
certainly up to no good."
Before Miriam was done speaking, Maggie darted out of her place with a pounding heart without even bothering to put on shoes.
In the end, Xavier couldn't muster up the courage to call Maggie. He felt that he was destined to go home disappointed, a victim
of his own cowardice.
Just as he was about to turn and leave dejectedly, he heard a bright, sweet voice calling out to him. "X- Xavier!"
Feeling surprised, he spun around and saw Maggie hurtling toward him, dressed in bunny pajamas and tying her hair into a bun.
His frown disappeared, and his heart fluttered.
"G-Good evening, Ms. Madison," stammered Xavier with a foolish look on his face.
Then, he awkwardly shoved the flowers and the gift box into her arms. "Happy birthday!"
Her heart raced. She merely accepted the flowers but declined the gift because she recognized the expensive brand.
"Xavier, thank you for the flowers, but I can't possibly accept your gift," she said in a low voice.
As thoughtful as ever, she added, "I know you prepared the flowers and gifts because I helped... No, because I repaid Ms.
Alyssa's favor. It was no trouble at all—just a minor gesture compared to what she had done for me. I'm the one who is without

any idea on how to repay Ms. Alyssa and Mr. Beckett for their kindness."
While speaking, she was overwhelmed by emotions. She pressed her lips, failing to hold back her tears. Similarly, Xavier, teary-
eyed and overtaken by passion, hugged Maggie. His empty heart was once again full.
Their throbbing hearts beat in sync, nearly shaking the petals off the purple hyacinths between them.
"Xavier." Maggie blushed, melting his heart.
"I did not drop by with flowers and gift on Mr. Beckett or Madam Alyssa's behalf." Xavier's warm breath tickled her ear.
Embracing her, he could not let go. "Everything I did was for you. I'm here to see you
because I miss you, Ms. Madison."
The feast was laid out, and the guests bustled around Alyssa and Jasper's home. The place looked as merry as Christmas.
Alyssa, draping an arm around Lauren's shoulders, chatted with her and Sean in the living room.
Alyssa had also invited Jonah and Julien to the dinner, but Jonah could not make it because he was busy. Before she hung up
on Jonah, she clearly overheard Julien's seductive, tender voice in the background. "Jonah, my waist hurts. A massage,
please?"
Jonah replied, "Get down."
Alyssa gaped as she tried to fight off the unholy scenes playing out in her mind. She wondered if Jonah was truly occupied that
night, or if he just wanted some private time with Julien.

Meanwhile, Landon, who was the only guest at Jasper's invitation, approached Jasper as he felt too awkward to mingle with
Alyssa's family.
When he stepped into the dining hall, he burst out laughing at Jasper, who was wearing an apron. "Hahaha! Jasper, since when
have you become a model househusband? Not bad at all! You're both excellent in bed and the kitchen!"
"Why? Jealous?" Jasper faced the teasing calmly and deftly wiped his hands on the apron.
"Of course not. Why would I put myself through the suffering when I have a Michelin-star chef at home?" Landon shot his friend a
disdainful look.