Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

With that, as if fearing more questions, she quickly changed the subject. "I'm starving. Didn't we book a table? Let's go grab some food."

There was this popular steakhouse, always jam-packed over the weekend. Leda had booked a table two days in advance and still, it was almost a miss.

Right near the steakhouse was a butcher's shop, ensuring all their beef was fresh off the market, clean and prime.

Especially since this place's secret sauce, filling the air with its savory aroma even before any meat hit the pot.

As soon as Leda sat down, she pointed at the menu, "This, this, and this... and throw in these, these, and these... Let's get two of each."

She'd lost weight this week, all thanks to overtime work. A rare night out meant indulging to the fullest.

Gaining a few pounds was no issue; there was always the gym, but her taste buds and stomach deserved a treat!

Roseanne gazed at the table, laden with meats and veggies, and couldn't help but swallow hard, "Are we... going to finish all this?"

It was just the two of them, and she was genuinely worried about waste.

Leda raised an eyebrow, recalling something, "Oh, forgot to tell you, my aunt asked me to call Owen, to get him to come home this week. When I called, he said he was off, so I... invited him over for dinner. Uh... Anne, you don't mind, do you?" Roseanne choked a little at this sudden announcement.

two know each other well enough, no need to be startled,

same research project, seeing each other day in and

an opportunity to ensure Owen looked out

bullied without someone to

brother figure, could make a lot of

calmly cleaned her mouth, "The soup's a bit hot. I drank it too

it cool a bit

"Got it."

in the evening rush, was

was drizzling, and as he walked in, his

"Didn't bring an umbrella?"

but Owen was meticulous,

forgot," Owen replied

soup, didn't think much of it until Leda mentioned the umbrella, She remembered a rainy day when she'd forgotten hers, and Owen had lent

umbrella was still

dipped lower, quietly sipping