Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Chapter 813

He glanced down at her phone, sighing softly, a hint of resignation in his voice. “Let's just cancel the order. I'll drive you home."

Drive you home...

Roseanne's heart fluttered at those words, and she couldn't help but smile. "Okay."

Warm air filled the car, driving out the winter chill almost instantly.

Owen Reynolds glanced sideways at her flushed fingers. He didn't even have to ask-

"Been out playing in the snow?"

Roseanne stayed silent, caught off guard.

What is this, Sherlock Holmes?

Owen didn't press her for an answer; he simply said, "There's some orange cinnamon tea in the thermos, and there are disposable cups in the glove compartment. Help yourself, it'll warm you up."

The thermos was nestled in the cup holder by the handbrake. As Roseanne unscrewed the lid, steam curled up, carrying the bright scent of orange. But if you lingered for a moment, the aroma of cinnamon crept in behind the sweetness.

Roseanne knew how to make orange cinnamon tea; she'd brewed it plenty of times for Murray, though she herself never cared much for the taste of cinnamon.

"...It's a bit awkward to drink in the car. I'll wait until I get home."

She spoke as she quietly screwed the lid back on.

Owen chuckled. "I added sugar. It's not as bad as you think."

"It's not that I didn't say it was bad! I just... want to wait until later, that's all!"

"If you hadn't insisted on that last part, I might've believed you."

Roseanne shot him a look.

acting like a

"I am not."

sparkled with laughter. "So you don't like cinnamon,

"Nope."

and

him

"Try it and see."

paper cup and poured herself a small serving, being extra

as if she were afraid

but the cinnamon was still there,

Fooled again.

her face betrayed just how much she

"Judging by your expression, you'd think I'd made

bit embarrassed. "Professor, did you

Owen nodded. "Yeah."

you coming

"...No."

who was

The answer was obvious.

eyes straight ahead.

looked out

on

even thicker now,

are you spending

parents are coming,

"The Rodriguez family?"

one

is my mom's first New Year's with her parents since

City for the holidays,

would stay behind in