Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Corley smiled. "Of course."

Roseanne asked, "Isn't the end of the year supposed to be crunch time for you finance folks?"

"Well, yes and no," Corley smirked, implying something more. "It all depends on the person. For those who matter, there's always time. But even free time is too much to waste for those who don't matter." Corley's words were loaded, but the lights flickered before Roseanne could decipher them, signaling it was time to switch dance partners.

In the dimly lit room, a figure got sent spinning her way. When they switched partners, Roseanne distinctly saw the look of surprise and disbelief on Millie's face.

The next second, the man firmly grasped her wrist and his other hand possessively wrapped around her waist.

With a challenging smile, Murray briefly glanced at Corley, then locked eyes with Roseanne, his gaze softening instantly. "Anne, still mad at me?"

"I dropped by your place a few days ago, but no one answered," he said, sounding hurt. "If it weren't for Corley meddling, switching your flight details on purpose, I wouldn't have taken this long to find you." Roseanne looked down, unmoved.

"Am I too late? Are you upset with me?" Murray lowered his head to catch her gaze, his voice softening further.

Under the spotlight earlier, he had immediately spotted Roseanne and Corley entering the dance floor, their movements graceful. Corley's hand was on her slim waist, his laughter bold and flirtatious. They whispered to each other, locking eyes now and then, pushing Murray to the brink of anger more than once.

What right did Corley have to hold Roseanne close?

dance with Roseanne.

knew Roseanne was genuinely mad this time, so he softened his voice, bending his head in submission, hoping to win her back. Like the countless times they had argued before,

still believed he could

indifferent,

or Owen, you use them to get to me. I admit it bothers me a lot. I

too much. It was unlike Murray

feeling immensely happy, for it meant she was in his heart. But it was too

far

basing her whole life around Murray,

together, all that we've been through, all the memories... can you just

still indifferent face, Murray's grip on

"You're

lips together, releasing her

back without hesitation. "What's in the past is past. I've forgotten it all, and you

Recalling when they switched

partners, she continued, "Since