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!"

up, his gaze calm behind his glasses. "What

to grab Anne for dinner. That guy just now is

a unique

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

she heard footsteps

"Aren't you two heading

"Come on, join us

back to the lab." His

floor when she heard Owen's voice. It had been over a month since their last encounter, with Owen buried in

Owen stood

the diamond-shaped grilles, casting mottled shadows on him. His usually indifferent

met, and Roseanne broke the ice, "I haven't

washed it long

found the right moment.

was soft, her floral dress accentuating her straight, slender legs, complemented by her nude high