Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed novel Chapter 780

Mamie glanced over at her friend Scales with a bemused expression. "Well, I wouldn't say I know him that well, but he seems like a genuinely nice guy. Remember that time at the botanical garden? Everyone else just stood around doing nothing, but he was the only one who stepped up to help. I haven't forgotten that."

Scales chuckled. "You've got quite the memory."

"Huh?"

"Everyone's a 'nice guy' to you. Do you just like to compliment people or what?"

Mamie rolled her eyes playfully. "What? Did you just have a brain freeze or something?"

"…"

Meanwhile, across the street, Murray leaned casually against his car, glancing at his watch now and then. He seemed to be waiting for someone.

He didn’t have to wait long. Grace appeared, a little breathless, her cheeks flushed from a light jog.

To meet Murray, she had swapped her usual bulky winter coat for something sleeker that showed off her figure. She’d even styled her hair differently, pulling it up into a neat bun with a pearl clip for a touch of elegance and charm.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. I forgot my scarf and had to run back for it," she said, a hint of apology in her voice.

Murray didn’t say much, his face betraying little emotion. He seemed distracted, his gaze drifting elsewhere.

Grace followed his line of sight and spotted Roseanne. Ah, she thought to herself, so that’s why he called me out here tonight. It wasn’t because he missed me. Figures.

Well, if this was the stage that had been set, she’d play her part.

Taking a deep breath, Grace squared her shoulders, put on a bright smile, and walked over to Roseanne.

"Fancy seeing you here, Roseanne," she said with forced cheerfulness.

Roseanne gave a polite smile. "You’ve found more than just me."

Grace’s smile faltered slightly as she pretended to notice Scales and Mamie for the first time. "Oh, you two are here too! What a coincidence."

Roseanne didn’t answer, but her silence spoke volumes.

"You really went to see the Rodriguez family with him?!" Murray’s voice rose slightly, betraying his agitation.

Roseanne shot a glance at Grace and frowned. "Mr. Sherwood, remember your place."

His place? What place?

Of course, it was Grace’s boyfriend.

These were questions he shouldn’t be asking, and she didn’t owe him any answers.

Murray clenched his fists, his mind buzzing with frustration. He wanted to shout, to ask why Corley could but he couldn’t. They were both a mess once… No, Corley was even worse!

Why would she choose Corley over coming back to him?