Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

It's not like Corley couldn't see the sparks between him and Roseanne. Even if they were subtle, they were unmistakably there. And if there was something there, it certainly wouldn't escape his notice.

He suddenly stopped in his tracks and turned around.

Roseanne, trailing a few steps behind because of his sudden halt, nearly collided with him.

She steadied herself just in time.

"Sorry," Corley said, looking down at her. "Forgot something."

Roseanne looked puzzled.

The next second, he handed her a cup of steaming hot cocoa.

The warmth spread through her palms, leaving her momentarily stunned.

"Hold on to it. If you spill, I'm not cleaning it up."

Roseanne was confused. "When did you buy this?"

They had been sitting face to face the whole time, and she hadn't noticed him ordering anything.

Corley smirked. "Secret."

nodded, "seeing how smoothly you did that, I guess you've

speechless. She felt they were too

He realized it

and she ran straight into someone

head back. I won't walk you to your door. You probably wouldn't want me to

"Yeah."

safely cross the street before

holding the hot cocoa, was pondering over

she suddenly

a

you haven't

you." His gaze fell on the hot cocoa in

thing, but it's nice once in

at the cocoa, curiously asking, "I've never tried it. Is

was puzzled. "Do you... want to

"Sure, thank you."

"You're welcome."

steering wheel. Even waiting at a red

...

frown. "Corley, what have you been up to lately?" Cliff moved to a quieter spot, but the background noise