Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

On the third floor, Owen stood by the elevator, ready to head down to find someone.

Ding-dong-

The metallic doors opened.

Roseanne emerged.

"Mr. Reynolds."

"Where have you been?"

They spoke at the same time, but their tones were completely different. Roseanne appeared relaxed, while Owen seemed slightly impatient, with a hint of concern beneath.

"I ran into Corley downstairs and got delayed for a bit. Here... Mr. Reynolds, have some water." Roseanne pulled a bottle from her bag and handed it over.

Owen glanced at the logo on the bag, which was from the imported goods store across the street. Roseanne likely hadn't gone that far, so it could only mean... "Corley bought it?"

"Yeah. I watched his grandparents while he went to the store across the street for some water. They only drink this brand."

Owen took the bottle.

Roseanne peeked into the event hall, "How's it going? Is it over yet?"

Owen shook his head: "Not yet. There's quite a line; it might take a while."

The earlier embarrassment was still fresh in her memory, and she wasn't eager to go back in and get jostled again.

But then...

Roseanne glanced at the book in Owen's hand: "Mr. Reynolds, are you planning to queue up for an autograph?"

"I'll wait till the end. No need to push through the crowd."

Roseanne nodded

The man chuckled softly.

"Mr. Reynolds, what's

He cleared his throat,

Reynolds

scheduled to end at four p.m., stretched until

ended up last in line, presenting the book to Madge- "Thanks for all the hard

"Thanks, Mrs. Cole."

daughter standing gracefully before her, with Owen

smiled at her, filled with

they looked like

shook her head, dismissing those unrealistic thoughts, and picked up

For Roseanne, she wrote-

and waves shall some day come,

For Owen, it was-

the highest peak, and see all

insisted on treating them

said, "How can we let you? It should be

special autograph from Mrs. Cole herself, surely

Norris was left speechless.

Worth it? Of course!

Madge what she'd like to eat, and she

turned to

not picky, whatever

gaze naturally

a

None of them objected.

On the way-