Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Karl dropped Roseanne off at her apartment building, and instead of heading straight up, she detoured into the nearby farmers' market.

Twenty minutes later, laden with bags of groceries, she was about to head inside. Just then, she saw Owen approaching in the glow of the setting sun.

The light was fading, but he was in a cloak of orange and gold, his tall figure stretched even longer by the sunset. He walked with a purposeful stride, his eyes fixed straight ahead.

"Fancy bumping into you again," Roseanne called out, initiating the conversation.

Owen looked up, adjusting his glasses. "Indeed, quite the coincidence."

"Have you had dinner? I've got plenty of groceries. How about joining me for a meal?"

Owen was about to decline, but the thought of her cooking made him nod almost against his will.

It was his first visit to Roseanne's place. The front balcony was adorned with blooming tulips, and two goldfish swam lazily in a square aquarium to the side. The white curtains fluttered in the sunset, casting warm hues over the cherry wood furniture. It was cozy, peaceful, and beautiful.

A spread of graduate school books and papers lay on the glass coffee table. A glance told him the answers in black ink were almost correct.

Roseanne asked warmly, "Would you like something to drink?"

Owen smiled. "Just water is fine."

him a glass of

"Thanks."

bit today, perfect for making a fancy

beef, and a box of handmade meatballs. There was also some chicken leftover last time,

multiple-choice questions wrong," Owen

which one he meant. "Embarrassing, huh? That question involved biophysics. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the dynamics

of

el?

to different potential energy surfaces, affecting the trajectories of

her eyes lit

was surprised at her quick grasp.

admitted honestly. "I've read your research notes in the

"And you could follow?"

"Yes."

turned slightly red. "Those were my undergrad notes. Ahem, they're full of

but laugh. There were

smart and insightful. You won't have trouble

"I'll take that as a good