Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Owen waved a dismissive hand. "No rush."

It was just a coat, after all. Owen had plenty more in his closet.

"I came home to grab some clothes and have to head back to the lab soon." His voice was thick with congestion, his face half-hidden by a mask, a dead giveaway he was battling a nasty cold.

"Hold on." Roseanne turned and went inside, returning moments later with a thermos. "I made you some chicken soup yesterday. Drink it while it's hot."

At the mention of chicken soup, Owen's brow furrowed slightly, an almost imperceptible reaction Roseanne missed as she added, "There's also some cold medicine in the bag. It's the usual stuff. Instructions are on the box."

Owen was rarely sick, and something about her concern made him momentarily consider refusing the thermos.

But then Roseanne added, "I mean, it's really my fault you ended up catching this cold."

almost withdrawn to refuse

time. "Thanks

her. Her latest paper still needed work, and she'd

was good enough for daily conversations, she still struggled

her research, Roseanne found her thoughts interrupted by her phone ringing. Annoyed but resigned, she set down her pen and

sorry about yesterday, but there are some things I'd prefer to say

during which Roseanne pondered, she decided it was an opportunity to clear the air They agreed on a time and

refocusing on her paper.

...

not far from Kingswell University. Roseanne immediately spotted Corley sitting in their usual spot as she pushed

Corley wore a Gucci dress shirt, the upper buttons casually undone, revealing his collarbone. It seemed to attract the

.n