Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Roseanne was puzzled.

York replied, "Yeah, he's the boss."

Roseanne sighed heavily and reluctantly dialed Corley's number...

Her declaration from the other day, "You, my friend, are too cunning for your own good. It's best we keep our distance," wasn't just talk.

The guy was too slick, a real fox. The slightest lapse in judgment and you'd find yourself ensnared in one of his traps.

So, the best and most effective strategy Roseanne could come up with was to stay away.

Yet, no sooner had she vowed this than she found herself reaching out to him again.

Talk about a slap in the face.

...

Meanwhile, York hung up his phone and glanced back at Leda, still snoring away in bed, and his irritation flared.

"Who insisted I be on time, not a minute late?! And what do I get? I'm here, and you're still in dreamland! I've been cooling my heels for forty minutes now, Leda. Don't you have a conscience?!" Leda in bed stirred, then rolled over, continuing her slumber.

York was baffled.

Fuming, he approached the bed. "Tell me, did you go out partying again last night?"

As he interrogated her, his eyes scanned the room like radar, checking every corner.

Thankfully, there were no signs of another man.

his gaze fixed on the

Two glasses?!

surged through

"Leda Reynolds!"

Thwack!

at him, hitting him

shut up? If you can wait, then wait. If not, get

one was allowed to

York was dumbfounded.

talk back with such righteous

"Leda-"

"Get lost!"

livid enough to

he'd leave! Who was

with the image of his dignified departure, something stopped him in his tracks.

and Leda finally

a hand through her tousled hair, the picture of ease

paused. "...Why are

the sofa opposite

Ded, replied somberly, "Oh,

with

to see my

mom had

had agreed without

today was