Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Murray was enjoying a candlelit dinner with Millie at an upscale steakhouse when his phone buzzed with a message. His face darkened instantly. Seeing the sudden change in Murray's demeanor, Millie asked cautiously, "What's wrong?"

Murray held his breath, not making a sound, then replied to the message tersely. [None of my business.]

On the other end, Corley couldn't help but smirk with a knowing look as he texted back, [Looks like it's truly over between you and Roseanne, huh?]

Murray glanced at the message and clenched his jaw, but his reply was indifferent. [Yeah, so? Got a problem with that?]

Corley responded with a surrendering emoji, [No, wouldn't dare to have an opinion.]

Then he added, [So, you wouldn't mind if someone else starts chasing Roseanne?]

York interrupted out of nowhere, [What's the deal? You're after her now?]

Corley's reply was a cheeky GIF that said, 'Oh yeah.'

Cliff burst into laughter. [Hahaha, that's rich!]

York added, [You've got guts, man.]

took

the GIF but didn't care, typing back, [Sure, go ahead

satisfied. He wondered if Murray would regret it

...

for making

9 PM when Murray dropped Millie off at her

let go. "I hate that we have to part so soon." Her smile was radiant,

were bright, her smile sweet, her voice soft and teasing like

as he looked at her upturned face, reaching out to ruffle her

of disappointment, but she nodded, "Okay, I'll head

brief delay had them lingering

the Grandstone Institute, his home was to the left, but the image of the photo Corley sent flashed through Murray's mind. Impulsively, he turned the

drove, a drizzle began, droplets forming on the windshield, blurring the lights into a

the rearview mirror, a plaid cashmere blanket could be seen lying on

Murray of

too cold,leading them to buy a light brown plaid blanket together. After their breakup, the blanket remained