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.

Roseanne spotted a large Styrofoam

mushrooms - morels, chanterelles, truffles,

Montana's edible winter

of mushroom was vacuum-sealed in its own bag, still looking fresh despite the journey and a day's

moon: "Professor, these are hard to find

them,

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

Owen arrived on time to

kitchen, he found Roseanne had already

you wait for

had some free time this afternoon, so

"You're taking my job."

He feigned grievance.

on the payroll. Why the eagerness?" "Ever heard of 'bitten hand, shy away'? If I don't

the one who's

hand, shine

away'. These mushroomet

from your place,

Shy away ace orel

"So?"

"We're even."

Neither shy nor reserved.

the broth was bubbling on the

few dates, goji berries,

of the prepped mushrooms and then fetched a timer from

the timer, the countdown

a Montanan