Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Chapter 815

“That's not—wait, why are you asking? Is this one of our annual lab performance metrics now? No way..."

Is snowball making some kind of required research skill these days?

Owen Reynolds: "Can you be serious for once? Stop messing around. I'm asking you something important, so quit joking."

Stoddard just stared at him, baffled. "Seriously? Who up north doesn't know how to make a snowball? Don't tell me you can't?"

Owen Reynolds: "..."

"You really don't know how?"

"So what exactly do you want, then?" Stoddard folded his arms, waiting.

Owen Reynolds: "The snow outside's piled up pretty deep."

"And?"

"We go out, and you teach me how to make a snowball."

Stoddard blinked, wondering if he'd heard wrong for the umpteenth time today.

You've got to be kidding.

No, really-this can't be happening.

Owen Reynolds, the notorious workaholic and academic bloodhound, was actually trying to drag him out during work hours, just to... make snowballs?

"Owen, do I look like a snowball to you?"

Owen said nothing.

Stoddard finally couldn't help but laugh, half in disbelief.

And

made it clear

he really

his

And southerners always make a

It's easy, I won't even charge. But― well, I've got two experiments to finish today, and I'm pressed for time. Sorry, pal, can't help you. Maybe

Reynolds: "I'll

Stoddard: "Wait, seriously?!"

gave him a

good man." His eyes flickered. "But-one more

"Spit it out. All at

holidays coming up,

so I was

over New Year's. That okay

Reynolds: "Pushing

yes or no. Those are my terms, take

"Deal."

to play in the

Forty minutes later-

like that! It's-look, watch me: like this... and then this...

felt like the hundredth time: "Got

Owen: "Yeah."

half hour

just forget about the deal, okay? No

"No.

life skill. So what if you learn it? It's not like Roseanne's going to