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!"

calm behind his glasses. "What brings

for dinner. That guy just now is

face carried a unique gentleness, especially when he smiled, revealing two small dimples. He had certainly

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

Leda could inquire further, she heard footsteps echoing from

two heading out? I'll leave

interjected, "Come on, join us for

can't. Got to head back to the lab." His return was merely

been over a month since their last

Owen stood

step, sunlight filtering through the diamond-shaped grilles, casting mottled shadows

broke the ice, "I haven't had the chance to return your

washed it long

found the

by her nude