Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

"Alright," Roseanne nodded, "I'll post the address in the group chat. I'll head out to grab some groceries first. You guys join in after you're done." "Got it!"

Stoddard chimed in, "Should we let Owen know?"

Jen replied, "Why don't you text him?"

"Sure thing." Stoddard took out his phone, saying, "I'll check if he's out of class yet..."

At 2 pm, Roseanne shut down her computer, tidied up the lab bench, and snuck out quietly.

Just as she stepped out, she bumped into Owen.

"Off to get groceries?" he asked.

Roseanne was slightly surprised, "How did you know?"

"Yeah, got a message from Chuck. Let's go?"

"What?"

Owen offered, "Aren't we heading to the supermarket? I can drive you."

"Are you not busy today?"

Owen shrugged, "Not too busy."

It's all about priorities, after all.

"Alright, thanks."

She had been contemplating hailing a cab, but Owen appeared just in time, a real money saver.

Turns out, Roseanne didn't just save money but also energy.

All the bags, big and small, were carried by Owen throughout.

Roseanne felt it was too much and tried to take some.

The man stepped back, avoiding her hands, "No need, I've got this."

Back at her place, Roseanne tied on an apron and got busy in the kitchen. "Oh, does anyone have any dietary restrictions?" she remembered to ask.

Owen replied, "Chuck can't have shrimp, but everyone else is fine."

Saying so, he rolled up his sleeves and headed to the kitchen, "Let me help."

...

At 6 pm, the gang left the lab and headed to Roseanne's place.

"Mr. Stoddard, did you tell Mr. Reynolds?" Liz suddenly asked.

She wasn't planning on coming, but changed her mind when Stoddard mentioned Owen would be there too. Sammy felt his persuasion worked wonders, finally convincing the tough nut to join them.

Stoddard confirmed, "Yep. He should have been out of class by now, not sure why he didn't swing by the lab."

"But he said he'd come, so he will. Just not with us."

Jen exclaimed, "Oh? He's really coming?"

Stoddard teased, "What? You don't want him here?"

Jen scoffed, "Don't stir the pot. It's just, with him around, feels like there's pressure, can't relax..."

"How relaxed do you wanna get?"

Stoddard joked, "Like a wild horse et

running free? It's good Owen's here, keeps you in check."

"Ugh, as if! You're the wild horse!"

While walking past a florist, Jen

jasmine and decided to buy bouquet as a gift.

me perfectly.net

Naturally, Stoddard and Sammy didn't come empty-handed either, each bringing some packaged fruits.

Roseanne was surprised to see Liz also brought a small gift.

"Made it myself, a perfume with a citrus top note and a lighter scent to follow. Thought you might like it."

"Thank you." Roseanne was pleasantly surprised and accepted with a smile.

Jen noticed Owen was missing, "Can someone call Mr. Reynolds? Why hasn't he arrived?"

Mainly because his tardiness was delaying dinner.

The delicious smells were already tantalizing her, making every minute of waiting torture.

Stoddard was about to dial when

Owen

appeared from the kitchene apron on, hands carefully balancing a pot of soup to the table.

His ease with the task didn't seem like a first-time effort.

Everyone was shocked.