Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Chapter 785

Owen Reynolds paused, his eyes narrowing suspiciously.

Stoddard jumped up, grinning widely. "I knew it! Owen, buddy, even you have your moments, huh?"

"Is it because of little Roseanne?" he teased.

Owen shot him a sharp look. "What nonsense are you talking about?"

"Oh, come on, don't play coy with me. We've been friends too long for you to hide anything. I can see right through you."

"Get lost, who said we're that close?"

Stoddard chuckled. "You don't want to be close to me because all you want is to be close to Roseanne."

Owen's gaze hardened. "Stop joking around like that. I can handle gossip, but Roseanne's different. She's got her reputation to think about, and she's still in school. So keep your big mouth shut."

Stoddard raised his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright, relax. I know where to draw the line. I wouldn't actually ruin a girl's reputation."

Owen sighed in relief. "Good to hear."

"So, ready to spill the beans?"

"There's nothing to spill."

leaned in closer. "Is it that Roseanne's been ignoring you lately? Did

back. "I don't

she had smiled and greeted him, not a trace of

persisted. "So...

head. "We have no issues between

issues with you, but maybe with someone else, right? That's why you're all confused

"Shut up."

fingers. "See, that reaction! I'm spot

a smooth-talking guy, making

step up your game. If you like Roseanne, don't just sit there.

else's girlfriend if you take

and

I haven't

When? How come

gritted his teeth. "Stop making stuff

manage to tell her how you feel?

"I tried, but

"Said what?"

wanted to focus on her

man, Owen, you're in trouble. That's just a polite way to turn someone down. Back in high school, 'I need to focus on

sinking feeling in

But...