Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Roseanne's gaze shifted as she noticed the man's hands first. They were slender and well-defined, contrasting the ready meals in his shopping cart. When she looked up, she found him already looking down at her.

Roseanne chuckled. "You're not seriously going to call that dinner, are you?"

With a slight cough, Owen replied, "Sometimes, after a long day, I can't be bothered with takeout. These are quick and easy."

"I did the math. These provide enough protein, vitamins, and carbs for a day," he added with a seriousness that made her laugh.

"Looks like Mr. Reynolds has figured it out with scientific calculation and precision," Roseanne teased. "But, what would it be if you had to choose between these and a fresh, hot meal?"

Owen fell silent. The answer couldn't be more obvious. No one would choose a microwave meal over something freshly cooked.

With a sly smile, Roseanne said, "So, Mr. Reynolds, how about I cook dinner tonight? In return, you only need to do one thing for me."

Half an hour later, Owen was staring at a fish on the cutting board, "This seems a bit tricky to deal with."

Roseanne cleared her throat. "Usually, the supermarket has a butcher to handle this, but they're too busy today. If you prefer..."

removing his glasses, Owen said,

secretly hoping to cut a corner with the tricky task of slicing

the kitchen, she suddenly felt guilty, wondering if it was too much

five minutes later, she dropped her earlier thought. Far from

do?" Owen

rival a professional chef with those skills,"

her comment, a smile tugging at his lips. "I've never cooked before, but my biology background includes some dissection, so... ahem!" Roseanne bought the fish, and Owen got some

Owen insisted on washing the

they cleaned up everything, Roseanne spoke, "It's getting late. You'd better

night run, but it was nearly midnight,

napped earlier and thought she'd struggle to sleep, but she drifted off soon

have to go on a blind date first thing in the morning," Leda complained while applying

Why don't you join me at the library instead?" Roseanne teased, trying to lighten the

"I'd rather go on the

had never been