Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

Colene thought about it. Perplexed, she said, "Winston's attitude seemed odd to me. He told us he wasn't fond of the Schmidt
family's sons. Why did he suddenly change his attitude toward Jameson?"
Mandy frowned slightly.
Jameson seemed to have some tricks up his sleeve.
Alyssa stared out the window the whole time. She was uninterested in speaking to Jameson.
Meanwhile, Jameson sat beside her quietly. His eyes didn't leave her for a second. He thought he was the luckiest man in the
world, even if he was watching over her silently.
"Jimmy, thank you for keeping me company while I was at the hospital."
Alyssa didn't look at him, but her tone was gentle. "I'm sure you're tired. Make sure you rest well when you get back. Please don't
look for me for now."
"Lyse, d-do you not wish to see me?" Jameson frowned as his heart tightened.
"I don't know what you told my father, but if you still want to be my friend, I hope everything stops here."
Alyssa looked at him this time, but her eyes were as cold as ice. "Jasper and I will never happen. Neither will you and I."
"Lyse, I think there's a misunderstanding. I didn't say anything to Uncle Winston. I ..."
Alyssa closed her eyes and shook her head. "Your image of me is still stuck in the past. 15 years have passed. I'm no longer
your guiding light. I can't do anything for you anymore.
"Our childhood friendship has brought us together after all this time. I cherish our friendship dearly. I hope you won't destroy what
we have.
"If you still choose not to listen to me, I'll have to choose not to see you again."
Alyssa had tried her best to soften the blow and reject him politely.
Yet, each word was like a cold dagger piercing Jameson's heart, leaving a trail of blood.
He gasped hard. His fair complexion was now completely drained of color. He clenched his fists.

He loved Alyssa with all his heart. Yet she treated his heart like a target, aiming her arrows at it again and again. He was deeply
hurt. He wondered why she was so cruel to him.
In the tense atmosphere, Alyssa's phone vibrated.
She looked down at her phone screen. Nina's name appeared. Her heart shuddered as she quickly answered.
"What's wrong?" She lowered her voice since she had company.
"Ms. Taylor, a-are you free tonight? I need to see you!"
Nina sounded anxious. She was whispering. "I have something important to tell you. But I'm with the Beckett family now. They
have eyes everywhere, so I can't tell you over the phone."
Alyssa's heart was caught in her throat. She looked at her watch for the time. "I'll find you tonight. Let's talk when we meet."
Jameson didn't move an inch. He observed her silently. She spoke very softly, so he didn't hear a thing.
"No, no! Please don't come to me. I will come to you."
Nina was trembling in fear. Her voice shook as she repeated, "I will come to you. Let me know where to meet you."
"Okay, I'll send you a location shortly."
Alyssa knew Nina was in danger, so she didn't say more than she needed to. She hastily hung up.
Jameson noticed the inexplicable look on her face and asked, "Did something happen, Lyse? Is there anything I can help you
with?"
"There's no need!" Alyssa rejected him with lightning speed.
Jameson was stunned. His eyes looked glum. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get close to her.
An invisible block of ice stood firmly before her. He wondered if he would ever break that barrier between them.
Alyssa took a deep breath as she massaged her temple. "I'm sorry, Jimmy. You don't need to take me back to Belbanks. I have
some matters to attend to at the hotel. I'll drop you back."