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."

refuse the offer paused, then accepted

realized he was short on time. "Thanks

him stride away, Roseanne closed the door behind her. Her latest paper still needed work, and she'd been digging through websites for days

all in German. While her German was good enough for daily conversations, she still struggled with the

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

about yesterday, but there are some things I'd prefer to say in person."

to clear the air They agreed on a time and place and Roseanne hung

refocusing on her paper.

...

place was the coffee shop they'd visited last time, not far from Kingswell University. Roseanne immediately spotted Corley sitting in their usual spot as she pushed

dress shirt, the upper buttons casually undone, revealing his

.n