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!"

behind his glasses. "What brings you

to grab Anne for dinner. That

carried a unique gentleness, especially when he smiled, revealing two small dimples. He had certainly made an impression on

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

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

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

on,

Got to head back to the lab." His

been

the stairwell, Owen

casting mottled shadows on him. His usually

broke the ice, "I haven't had the chance

had washed it long ago

found the

floral dress accentuating her straight, slender legs, complemented by her nude high heels, giving her an aura of