Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Leda said happily, "How about a celebratory dinner for passing the preliminary round? My treat."

Roseanne couldn't suppress a laugh. "Shouldn't I be the one treating you?"

Leda raised an eyebrow. "Come off it. We're best friends. That's settled. Get ready. I'll swing by to pick you up."

After hanging up, Roseanne returned to her room and opened her closet. She chose a V-neck floral sundress. Two months passed, and her hair had grown down to her collarbones. Given the sweltering weather, she opted for a headband that matched her dress to tie her hair up.

Half an hour later, Leda messaged that she was downstairs. After changing her shoes, Roseanne grabbed her purse and headed down.

Leda's car was at the end of the street. While waiting, Leda pulled out her phone. Glancing up, she saw Owen walking toward her.

A student accompanied him, backpack slung over his shoulder, sporting a buzz cut and radiating a sunny charm.

They were deep in conversation, Owen looking calm and nodding in agreement from time to time. When they finished, the boy turned to leave.

Spotting Owen, Leda quickly waved him over, "Hey, Owen!"

gaze calm behind his glasses. "What brings

grab Anne for dinner. That guy just

boy wasn't the typical heartthrob of the moment, but his clean, handsome face carried a unique gentleness, especially when

miss the hints, Owen said, "He's a grad student from another school. He just

could inquire further, she heard footsteps echoing from the stairwell. Roseanne was coming

his glasses. "Aren't you two heading out? I'll leave you

"Come on, join us

back to the lab." His return was merely to pick up some

reached the ground floor when she heard Owen's voice. It had been over

Owen stood

casting mottled shadows on him. His usually indifferent gaze warmed under the

met, and Roseanne broke the ice, "I haven't had the chance to return your jacket

it

the right moment.

slender legs, complemented by her nude