Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

For Roseanne, that was a rare opportunity.

"If you're interested, you can take this back and have a look." He pulled out a flash drive and laid it before her, "It contains all the experiment details."

Roseanne looked up, her bright eyes sparkling with excitement. "Thanks, I'll give it some thought."

By ten o'clock, it was about time for Roseanne to head home.

Owen walked her to the door.

"I just live across the hallway. You don't have to walk me out," Roseanne said with a chuckle.

Yet, Owen glanced at her inadvertently exposed finger, gently reminding her, "You shouldn't keep that band-aid on for too long. Clean it with the iodine, and it's best to let it breathe."

Roseanne instinctively curled her index finger, "Thanks. I'll remember that."

Owen didn't say much more, just nodded slightly, then turned to pick up a small pot of pink succulents. "This is for you."

admiring the palm-sized plant with its chubby leaves that faded

picked it up. Consider it a thank you for that fish dinner you treated me to last time." Roseanne smiled. "I'll accept it then. But really, we're friends.

clear night sky, full of

Owen felt a soft flutter in his

...

planned a visit to the

precision. "Murray, don't say I don't look out for you. Guess what I've got you here?

light. had my chef get up early to make this. Don't be fooled by its modest look. It's full of nutrients

barely suppressing a smirk,

that Murray wasn't fond of soups except for the stomach-soothing oatmeal Roseanne used to make. Anything else was as good as invisible to

before grimacing and tossing the spoon aside. "Forget it! It tastes weird! Where did you find this chef? Can't even make a decent oatmeal." York raised an eyebrow. "Come on,

was expressionless. "Then you have

he just doesn't match up to a sweet girlfriend cooking you oatmeal with love, right? Oh,@ight,

Weet

ahem!" Cliff coughed violently,