Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

As for Murray, seeing the look on the other guy's face, it was pretty clear he was admitting defeat.

Frustrated, Murray slapped his hand against the steering wheel, and the horn blared through the silent night.

From the apartment above, someone shouted down-

"For crying out loud, it's the middle of the night! What the hell's your problem?!"

And just like that, a bucket of water came splashing down, drenching the roof of Murray's car.

Meanwhile, Corley had already turned on his heel and was striding away, leaving the scene behind.

Owen Reynolds, standing on his balcony, had witnessed everything unfold below him, including Corley walking Roseanne up to her building.

The bitter cold wind, carrying snow and frost, bit at his face, but he stood there for over half an hour, seemingly unfazed by the chill.

He couldn't quite put his finger on what he was feeling; he just knew there was a heaviness in his chest, and each breath felt unusually laborious.

His mind was a whirl of thoughts, yet it felt as if he hadn't thought of anything at all.

Ever since he had tested the waters and received her answer that she wasn't interested in a relationship and just wanted to focus on her studies, Owen thought he could keep his feelings in check.

He figured he could go back to being just friends, be there for her, and watch her grow-it seemed like a good plan.

But now, he realized he had overestimated his self-control.

Once a certain kind of thought takes root, it grows uncontrollably.

He started to wish-

could be the only man by

gaze would always

her smile would bloom because of him, and

that she would think of him as

of Corley's car, the two of them walking side by side

realizing he had

the only one trapped

...

sky, in the

got Leda's call, he dashed out of the club and made his way

for nearly an

she was straight-up ignoring

"Damn it—"

his patience

fit of

steering wheel, grimacing out

unable to shake off the annoyance etched across his

His

running out,

more just

Bet

to off, but each

Just a little longer!

if something unexpected came

pick up her

Just one more minute...