Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

The glare in his eyes was like a sharp sting as he watched Corley's back retreating. Bam! He slammed his fist against the steering wheel.

Oh, how he wanted to jump out, grab the guy by his collar, and give him a real thrashing.

But then he hesitated-

What right did he have to lash out?

An ex-boyfriend who couldn't let go?

Or a once-upon-a-time best buddy?

He let out a bitter chuckle, realizing he could only stand there in silence, watching them disappear upstairs.

...

With the delivery done, Corley was about to leave.

Roseanne came from the living room with a glass of water, offering it to him. "Thanks, man, have a drink before you go."

Corley looked up at her, his voice hoarse, "Sure."

Roseanne started tidying the place, planning to sort everything properly the next day.

Just then, a loud crash echoed as the wind picked up, slamming the balcony door she had forgotten to close earlier.

Remembering the plants on the balcony, she worried that if the wind knocked them off, someone might get hurt.

So, she paused what she was doing and hurried to move the plants inside.

One of the pots was particularly heavy, and after several attempts, she couldn't budge it.

At that moment, a pair of hands reached over, gripping the base, and effortlessly lifted it up.

it,"

breathed a sigh of

they accidentally brushed against

eyes tightened slightly, but he showed

at the other pots. "These too... and those over

amused. "Do I look

You said it yourself,

Corley at

Brother, my ass!

losing it. No matter what she called him, when it came from her, it just sounded so darn

just tending to the plants, she hadn't thought much of it, but now, lugging them all inside, Roseanne realized how much work they really

was about to fetch the watering can when Corley noted,

t belongs to swich

Roseanne asked, "Here?"

face."

a tissue and stepping forward to help her wipe it

a drawer and

as she did so, "Why make it so complicated? This is much easier,

turmoil in his eyes, and

said,

end of

Murray hadn't left.

car for half an hour, anxiously watching the building's entrance,

played out

he fought the urge to

stay the

"cohabitation" flashed through his mind, and his

when he was on the brink of despair,

his heart