Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Stoddard leaned in, his voice tinged with concern. "You seem off these days, Owen. What's going on?"

"You're wrong," Owen replied curtly before heading towards the break room.

He carried a bag filled with fresh clothes that needed stowing away in his locker. As he pushed open the door, the sight of the fold-out cot Roseanne had used caught his eye, still stationed in its usual spot. Memories of accidentally stumbling upon her during her nap, the rapid heartbeat and the breathlessness he experienced then, flooded back. It felt like something out of a dream...

Shaking his head to clear the invasive thoughts, Owen was washed over by a wave of annoyance and embarrassment. He felt utterly disgraced by his own reactions.

"Owen, I grabbed us some late-night snacks. You up for some?" Stoddard's voice cut through his reverie from outside.

"I'll pass. Go ahead without me."

"We've got buffalo wings and sliders, sure you don't want a bite?"

"No, I'm good."

"You know, speaking of buffalo wings, I still think Roseanne makes the best ones... Has she started school again? Haven't seen her around the lab in a while. Next time you see her, tell her to drop by more often. We all miss her around here." Stepping out of the break room, Owen managed a semblance of normalcy. "If you want to say something, say it yourself."

He tried not to think about her, but reminders of her were everywhere.

Stoddard paused, his chopsticks mid-air. "Come on... You guys are neighbors, for crying out loud. Is it really that hard to pass along a message?"

"It is."

I really think something's

at his workstation,

at it. "I'm even starting to think you've got a broken heart... You've been all doom and

continued his work,

tongue. "See,

---

sky was a canvas of fiery oranges and reds, the day bidding its farewell. A gentle evening breeze carried the promise of the night, city lights beginning to

had just

the table he'd secured. The timing was perfect; their table started filling with dishes almost immediately after she

for making you

smile playing on his lips. "You're not late. What

agreed on 6:30 PM. Roseanne being there at 6:20 PM was actually ahead

have

"Since six."

"That early?"

seasonal menu. You pick your veggies, and they cook it your way, no set dishes. Best to get here early to sort everything out. Plus, cooking

order takes time."

to

before her, Roseanne

supposed to be the host, and I should've arranged