Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

"Darn it!" Leda swatted away the hotdog she accidentally dropped on her shoulder, standing up straight and thankful she flicked her cigarette away in time.

Roseanne had to make a considerable effort to close her mouth, "Um... Leda, you forgot your bag..."

She had only come to deliver a bag, but what did she end up witnessing?

Leda cozying up to a guy, looking all close and intimate? And why did his silhouette seem so familiar?

The moment the two turned around, the mystery unraveled - it was York?!

So... This was the "collaborator" Leda mentioned?

Leda stepped forward, taking her bag: "Thanks, Anne! Coming all the way here late at night just to deliver my bag, you should head back, it's late, and not safe. I'll watch you go up to your apartment, just wave at me from the balcony, and then I'll leave." "Sure."

Roseanne turned around and headed home.

She knew what Leda was like, seemingly carefree but always with a plan.

So, she didn't say much.

Sometimes, silence was the greatest form of respect between friends.

her word, Leda stood there until she saw Roseanne wave from the balcony, and

Aren't you going to give me a lift?!" York

how could I

York was speechless.

she revved the engine, counted down silently, then

take mine?! Be careful, it's new, don't scratch it.

financial district in his little Maserati

top down, her little dog

"Darn it-"

there, gritting his

did it feel like he

...

had finally finished drafting her

spent a week, with Owen' help, revising them six times. Once sure everything was in order, she submitted them to

lab early in the morning, no need to prepare lunch ahead of time to take with her, nor worry about

free time, days

through the farmer's market, care for her plants at a relaxed pace, and even try out new ecipes when

with her parents, often talking for half an hour at

Norris: "...Finished all three?"