Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Corley didn't pry further, his lips curling into a grin. "A glass of freshly opened Burgundy?"

He poured half a glass and passed it over.

Murray took it, sipping lightly. "Not bad."

After a pause, he asked casually, "Didn't you say Roseanne was here, too? I haven't seen her around."

"You didn't come here just to see her, did you?" Corley swirled his wine glass, a teasing smile on his face.

"Huh," Murray's expression softened, "Just thought I'd stop by for a drink, and since I heard she was here, figured I'd ask. Is that a crime?"

Corley shrugged. "I ran into her in the hallway. She was here for a drink and probably went back home already."

Murray didn't reply, but his demeanor visibly relaxed. That was typical Roseanne, not one for these scenes. He set down his glass and stood up. "Got work tomorrow. I'd better head out. Put this one on my tab." As he left, Corley's gaze deepened slightly. After a moment, he sighed softly, "Sorry, buddy."

Less than an hour in the private room, Leda was out like a light, having downed half a bottle of wine.

A bit drunk, Roseanne couldn't drive and called a ride service to return to her apartment. Then, she took a cab from the building's entrance back to her rental. It started pouring halfway. It was late, and the cab driver only agreed to drop her at the end of the lane.

umbrella, Roseanne braced herself to run through the

and turning, she saw Owen approaching through the misty rain, umbrella in hand.

dressed more casually, lacking his usual formality, which

hesitated, then nodded. That

this," he insisted, thrusting

frowned, asking, "What

she meant was

from the store," he said before dashing to the diner across the street

notoriously grumpy, rarely giving customers the time of day.

Owen explained. As the rain slightly eased,

moment before following. The old neighborhood was dimly lit, and the rain only made it

Suddenly, lightning flashed across

and the

shaking the trees violently.

เวน I

tightened her grip on the umbrella handle, quickening her