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. "You're serious? You actually want to

"Yes. And show me

it

he really

for a couple of seconds, his expression

southerners always make

But― well, I've got two experiments to finish today, and I'm pressed

"I'll

Stoddard: "Wait, seriously?!"

gave him

good man." His eyes flickered.

expression darkened. "Spit it out.

with the holidays coming up, I haven't

yet, so I was planel

take time off over New

Reynolds: "Pushing your

terms, take it or leave it. Three seconds, three,

"Deal."

time to

Forty minutes later-

not like that! It's-look, watch me: like this... and then this...

what felt like the

Owen: "Yeah."

half hour

forget about the deal, okay? No

"No.

him. "Owen, come on. It's not like snowball making is some incredible life skill. So what if you learn it? It's not like Roseanne's going to agree to be your girlfriend just because