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."

been ignoring you lately? Did you do something to

frowned, thinking back.

and greeted him, not a

"So... she's been

head. "We

it! No issues with you, but maybe with someone else, right? That's

"Shut up."

his fingers. "See, that

bet, is a smooth-talking guy, making you feel all insecure

Stoddard said earnestly, "you need to step up your game. If you like Roseanne, don't just sit there. She could easily end up

else's girlfriend if you

narrowed, and his heart

says I

You actually made a move? When? How come I

his teeth.

you manage to tell her how you

hesitated. "I tried, but she

"Said what?"

to focus on

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

sinking feeling in

But...