Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

"Isn't that running routine of yours a bit... excessive? To the uninitiated, it might seem like you're gearing up for a marathon or something..." Owen Reynolds just chuckled, a hint of sheepishness hidden within his laughter.

Roseanne pressed on, "Isn't the lab keeping you busy these days?"

"Well, I've delegated some tasks to Stoddard."

Meanwhile, Stoddard, still toiling away in the lab, sneezed repeatedly. "Achoo! Achoo! Look at you, so high and mighty!"

Owen asked, "Had breakfast yet?"

Roseanne nodded, "Yes, and you?"

"Same here. Got any plans for today?"

"Just a bunch of papers to dig into," she pondered.

"Got a package from a buddy in Montana last night, full of wild mushrooms. They're all yours now."

Wild mushrooms?

That was a real treat.

"Why are you giving them to me? Don't you want any?"

Owen laughed it off, "I barely cook as it is. Mushrooms go bad if you don't use them. Better you have them."

"Alright then, I won't hold back!"

They headed upstairs together.

entering Owen's place, Roseanne spotted a

mushrooms -

Montana's edible

of mushroom was vacuum-sealed in its own bag,

to find in the

take them, "Go ahead,

Then come over for a mushroom hot pot tonight!" she declared, grabbing the box and leaving no room for

five in the afternoon, Owen arrived

kitchen, he found Roseanne had already cleaned and

for me

some free time this afternoon,

"You're taking my job."

He feigned grievance.

eagerness?" "Ever heard of 'bitten hand, shy away'? If I don't pitch in, I won't enjoy the meal

the one

hand, shine

away'. These mushroomet

from your place, after

Shy away ace orel

"So?"

"We're even."

Neither shy nor reserved.

was

goji berries, and green onion segments floating on

and

timer, the countdown

essence of a Montanan hot pot,