Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed novel Chapter 785

Owen Reynolds paused, his eyes narrowing suspiciously.

Stoddard jumped up, grinning widely. "I knew it! Owen, buddy, even you have your moments, huh?"

"Is it because of little Roseanne?" he teased.

Owen shot him a sharp look. "What nonsense are you talking about?"

"Oh, come on, don't play coy with me. We've been friends too long for you to hide anything. I can see right through you."

"Get lost, who said we're that close?"

Stoddard chuckled. "You don't want to be close to me because all you want is to be close to Roseanne."

Owen's gaze hardened. "Stop joking around like that. I can handle gossip, but Roseanne’s different. She's got her reputation to think about, and she’s still in school. So keep your big mouth shut."

Stoddard raised his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright, relax. I know where to draw the line. I wouldn't actually ruin a girl's reputation."

Owen sighed in relief. "Good to hear."

"So, ready to spill the beans?"

"There's nothing to spill."

Stoddard leaned in closer. "Is it that Roseanne's been ignoring you lately? Did you do something to upset her?"

Owen frowned, thinking back. "I don't think so."

Just this morning, she had smiled and greeted him, not a trace of annoyance on her face.

Stoddard persisted. "So... she’s been distant?"

"Not really," Owen shook his head. "We have no issues between us."

"Ah, got it! No issues with you, but maybe with someone else, right? That's why you're all confused and moody."

"Shut up."

Stoddard snapped his fingers. "See, that reaction! I’m spot on again!"

"…"

"And this someone, I bet, is a smooth-talking guy, making you feel all insecure and stuff."

But...

"I believe she meant it. Roseanne isn’t the type to play games or be two-faced."

Stoddard nodded. "True. So, who’s this new guy she’s been hanging out with?"

Owen fell silent.

"What’s wrong, cat got your tongue?"

"It’s not like they’re close."

Stoddard raised an eyebrow. "Huh?"

"The way you say it, I don’t like it. Roseanne has her principles when dealing with guys, including me. It's just that her attitude toward this one guy has suddenly... changed."

Who was Corley to her, anyway?

And why did he seem to fall outside her usual "principles"?