Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed novel Chapter 736

Roseanne had just taken a couple of bites when she glanced up and noticed the man standing in front of her apartment building.

Owen Reynolds was a steadfast night runner. No matter how chilly it got, you could count on seeing him out and about, hitting the pavement.

But today? No running gear in sight.

He was dressed in a sharp overcoat, with a slightly serious expression that made Roseanne wonder if he was waiting for her.

"Professor," Roseanne greeted him with a smile as she approached.

Owen's eyes crinkled with a smile of his own, but his gaze lingered on the bouquet of blue roses she was holding, making him pause.

"Were you out having fun?" he asked.

"Not exactly fun. I picked up my car from the shop and then went to a piano recital."

"Those flowers... they're quite unique."

Roseanne's eyes lit up. "Professor, take a closer look. Do you notice anything special about them?"

She held the bouquet out toward him to inspect.

Owen took a moment to examine the roses, even touching one gently. "Naturally grown?"

Of course, the former biology expert would know right away.

"Yep!"

"Where did you get them?" he inquired.

Roseanne hesitated but decided to be honest. "Corley gave them to me."

Owen's gaze intensified. "Why's he giving you flowers all of a sudden?"

"It's my birthday today, well, on the Gregorian calendar..."

"He wanted to celebrate with you?" Owen paused, piecing things together. "And you went to the recital together?"

"...Yes."

His lips pressed into a thin, restrained line, and his hands clenched slightly at his sides.

Suddenly, Roseanne offered him a peeled sweet potato, its warm, honey-orange center steaming slightly. "Professor, would you like some?"

The past was just a memory. Unbeknownst to her, she'd already let it go.

"Then..." He paused, "Have you thought about starting a new relationship?"

Owen's heart thudded in his chest as he asked. This wasn't just a casual question.

A few days ago, when he celebrated Roseanne’s lunar birthday, he had taken her to a workshop, showing her a jar of loose diamonds. When she asked why he was giving her a necklace, he had blurted out it was because of her birthday.

But on the way home, he realized how inadequate that explanation was.

He wanted to give her a proper answer, to finally express how he felt.

The truth was, he liked Roseanne.

Really, really liked her...

So much so that seeing her made his heart leap, hearing her voice quickened his pulse.

And in his dreams, he was hopelessly captivated, unrestrained...