Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

"Alright."

Roseanne gave her neck a little twist, followed by a shake of her head. Surprisingly, the hair clip held fast, not showing any signs of giving up its grip.

"Hey! Your boyfriend's got quite the knack for this, seems even better than mine!" The cheerful vendor complimented.

Owen just smirked.

Roseanne tried to clarify, "He's not my-"

But the vendor didn't let her finish-

"In our hometown, a man brushing a woman's hair symbolizes growing old together, hearts forever entwined. Sadly, these days, men can be such couch potatoes. Not even a simple brush through your hair, too much to ask for them. But your boyfriend here is quite something," the vendor gave Owen a nod of approval, "learns fast and has the patience, willing to get his hands dirty."

Roseanne wanted to explain, "He's not "

The vendor cut her off, "Sweetie, you got yourself a keeper. Good men are hard to find these days."

Roseanne was defeated. Why won't anyone let her finish?

As they walked on, Owen suddenly asked, "Got it down?" "...What?"

"Doing up hair."

Roseanne was speechless.

How could she have learned without watching?

Owen: "Want me to go over it again?"

Roseanne

meticulous styling. A simple clip

"You doubt my skills?"

a wry smile: "...I doubt

Owen was speechless.

to end

shouldn't

down the street until they finally caught up with Madge and Norris.

that hair clip..."

immer's hairdo, her eyes

Sweene

immediately drawn to the

pretty good, seems sturdy

the small

her another look: "Did

Roseanne: "..."

your hair, no matter how much we tried to

"..." Mom, please stop.

the lady selling the clips who did

in agreement, eager to move past

remained silent throughout, standing by with a

funny?" Norris followed

Nothing there!

touched his cheek:

just now,

for a moment, "I just

Norris nudged him,