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.”

her name, she treasured every

his head and whispered into her ear, "Now, you're not the only

looked like before."

around her shoulders and put a hand at the back of her head,

together. He added, "I'll

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

out, but the passion in

interrupted by a jarring ringtone from her phone. She coughed awkwardly before

sight that hurt

"Hello?" she croaked.

two guests from Tsulu," Carl informed her

her sportscar, fearing that Axel might overhear.

partners?"

keep them happy. You don't need to

chest tighten. Jameson appeared to have grown vigilant

picked up on Amber's emotions, fell silent before offering, "They are Mr.

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 favor? That will make your