Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

"Landon, you're home early today," Jasper replied to Landon's greeting.

"Darling, I'm home. Why don't you give me a hug after a long day?" Landon beamed as he opened his arms at Lauren. The black coat, which was loosely draped on his shoulders, fell onto the floor, but he did not bother to pick it up.

Despite feeling oddly nervous, Lauren obediently went up to Landon and sneaked into his arms like an adorable kitten. He wrapped his tall and muscular body around her, carrying with him the warmth from the car heater that seeped into her skin. The warm sensation helped soothe her emotions.

"Landon, don't be angry," she mumbled in a voice only audible to them.

"Hm? Why would I be angry at you for no reason?" he whispered in a raspy voice.

"I-I..." Lauren had learned to carefully ponder her words before voicing them aloud. After some thinking, she chose to keep her thoughts to herself.

"If you've done something to upset me, just give me a kiss, and I won't be angry at you anymore." Landon rubbed his lips against her cold cheek.

kiss Landon in Alyssa and Jasper's presence, Lauren still tiptoed and gave him a peck on the lips to avoid

enough to satisfy Landon. He pressed a hand on the small of the back,

the tea and desserts. Unfazed by the kiss, she smiled politely at the visitors. "Mr. Beckett, Ms. Alyssa, please

of tea to

accepted the cup and looked away from Lauren

by a feeling that something was amiss with Lauren, who seemed a

help. Her grandfather, Newton, was in such bad health and could not look after her since they rarely met up. As her sister-in-law, Alyssa decided to pay closer

kiss, Jasper calmly remarked,

go to my study." Landon, happy to meet his friend, went

love fresh orange juice. Could you make two glasses of orange juice for me and Lauren? She likes it too," Alyssa requested with