Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

Amber stared at the sparklers vacantly as tears welled up in her eyes. She clutched her fists, holding back her emotions.

"Cjoin me! Let's have sfun." Axel bounced up to her and handed her a sparkler with eyes that shone bright like the sun.

She accepted the sparkler with trembling fingers, knowing that he must have cprepared with them. It was impossible to get this stuff at the

remote location of the orphanage.

The light from her sparklers danced on her face. A smile appeared on her face. She took on a resemblance to the girl in the locket when she smiled.

"Do you like that massive fireworks show | put on for you the last time?" He glanced at her before asking.

Staring at the sparkler in her hand, she replied softly, "Yeah."

"Well, that doesn't mean anything. I'm not as rich as Landon Harper. Can't afford a showy performance worth tens of millions," Axel blurted out.

She flashed a faint smile at him, having been used to his blunt and outspoken manner—probably the reason he was single.

"No, this is good." She smiled gently, satisfied. "Anything that belongs tois the best in the world.”

she treasured every single moment

Axel tilted his head and whispered into

looked like before."

her shoulders

added, "I'll remember how

she felt all her blood rush to her head. She blushed, and her

might have gone out, but the

jarring ringtone from her phone. She coughed awkwardly before drawing

and saw Carl's non the screen—a sight that hurt her eyes and burst

"Hello?" she croaked.

Schmidt would like you to host two guests from Tsulu," Carl

cold from head to toe, she hurried toward her sportscar, fearing that Axel might overhear. "What guests? Are they politicians? Or

partners?"

Schmidt wants you to keep them happy. You don't need to

her chest tighten. Jameson appeared to have grown vigilant of her, refusing to even

silent before offering, "They are Mr. Schmidt's business partners. This deal is important to

entry to the Tsulu market. Ms. Altman, you'll have to put in

you have crossed Mr. Schmidt a few times. Why don't you take this opportunity to regain his