Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed novel Chapter 71

Leda said happily, "How about a celebratory dinner for passing the preliminary round? My treat."

Roseanne couldn't suppress a laugh. "Shouldn't I be the one treating you?"

Leda raised an eyebrow. "Come off it. We’re best friends. That's settled. Get ready. I'll swing by to pick you up."

After hanging up, Roseanne returned to her room and opened her closet. She chose a V-neck floral sundress. Two months passed, and her hair had grown down to her collarbones. Given the sweltering weather, she opted for a headband that matched her dress to tie her hair up.

Half an hour later, Leda messaged that she was downstairs. After changing her shoes, Roseanne grabbed her purse and headed down.

Leda's car was at the end of the street. While waiting, Leda pulled out her phone. Glancing up, she saw Owen walking toward her.

A student accompanied him, backpack slung over his shoulder, sporting a buzz cut and radiating a sunny charm.

They were deep in conversation, Owen looking calm and nodding in agreement from time to time. When they finished, the boy turned to leave.

Spotting Owen, Leda quickly waved him over, "Hey, Owen!"

Owen glanced up, his gaze calm behind his glasses. "What brings you here?"

"I'm here to grab Anne for dinner. That guy just now is your student?"

The boy wasn't the typical heartthrob of the moment, but his clean, handsome face carried a unique gentleness, especially when he smiled, revealing two small dimples. He had certainly made an impression on Leda!

Not one to miss the hints, Owen said, "He's a grad student from another school. He just had a question."

She had washed it long ago but hadn't found the right moment. Her voice was soft, her floral dress accentuating her straight, slender legs, complemented by her nude high heels, giving her an aura of freshness and purity.

Owen momentarily lost his train of thought, then remembered the jacket, his voice slightly hoarse, "I've been busy, staying at the lab. Just returned to grab some stuff."

Roseanne could see his exhaustion and nodded, "Then you should get back to it. Take care of yourself."

Owen murmured, "Will do."

As they passed each other, unaccustomed to her heels, Roseanne stumbled. Owen reacted instantly, steadying her with his body and a hand on her waist, preventing a fall.

Catching her breath, she patted her chest and then noticed the scent of pine, Owen's distinctive smell.