Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

He chuckled softly, disbelief painting his features. "I'm not mistaken."

Roseanne seemed lost, her eyes briefly clouded with confusion.

Then Corley spoke again, "I want to kiss you."

Roseanne was dumbfounded, speechless for a long moment. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, and for a second, she couldn't tell if this scene unfolding before her was reality or a dream because it was absurd!

Corley's smile had a roguish charm, his handsome face carrying a hint of recklessness and indifference, mixed with the slight buzz from the alcohol on his breath, giving off a vibe of defiance. "Surprised, huh?" Surprised was an understatement. Roseanne felt her brain had short-circuited.

"You... you..." She tried to speak, but no coherent words came out.

"Yes, I have a thing for you."

"What are you talking about? How could anything happen between us?"

it a try

you and Murray..." Weren't the two of them like

up. I like you, and I'm boldly going after

carried an air of gentle nobility If Murray

said, "I

was like

as if he had expected her

a sigh of relief, he spoke again. "That's why I'm

what

a chance on me? Some people don't recognize a good thing when they see it, but I do." Corley stepped closer, "I've seen your kindness, attention to detail, and

come any closer!" Watching his overwhelming frame approach, Roseanne stepped back instinctively. "No matter what you say, I won't fall for you. This so-called pursuit is a waste of

never considered

of anything happening with anyone close to

not his best friend.