Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed novel Chapter 786

Stoddard leaned back in his chair, grinning like a Cheshire cat. "You can't fool me, Owen! You say you're not interested in Roseanne, but you're acting like a lovesick puppy. Caught you red-handed!"

Owen Reynolds just stared at his computer screen, saying nothing.

"Listen, buddy," Stoddard continued, "if you have doubts, the best thing to do is to just ask her straight up. Man up a little! You've mentioned yourself that Roseanne hates all that beating around the bush."

Owen seemed to be lost in thought.

"Don't hesitate any longer! Before you know it, she'll be someone else's girl. I bet you can't focus on work until you sort this out."

"Who says I can't focus on work?" Owen shot back.

"Ha! Then why's there a mistake in these simple calculations?" Stoddard pointed to a glaring error on the screen. "Denial isn't just a river in Egypt, my friend."

Owen glanced over, a flicker of embarrassment crossing his face.

Stoddard gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "You got this, bro!"

With that, he turned back to his own workspace.

"When did you figure it out?" Owen suddenly asked.

Stoddard paused, turning with a smirk. "The way you look at Roseanne, the special treatment you give her, even your tone is softer around her. If I didn't notice, I'd have to be blind."

Owen's face twisted into a sheepish grin. "Is it really that obvious?"

"What are you guys talking about?" Liz chimed in as she approached, smiling.

Owen quickly straightened up, shooting Stoddard a warning glance.

Facing Liz, Stoddard hid his hands behind his back, giving Owen an "OK" sign. "Got it, got it! Lips are sealed!"

Liz chuckled. "What's so secretive, Mr. Stoddard? Some top-secret project I can't know about?"

Though she was addressing Stoddard, her eyes subtly drifted to Owen.

Stoddard played along, "Well, since you've put it that way, it's all classified, Liz. Can't share, can't share..."

He walked off, grinning to himself. It wasn't just Owen's feelings he could see clearly; Liz was just as transparent.

"Morning, Mr. Stoddard!" Sammy greeted him cheerfully as he walked by, carrying breakfast for him and Liz.

"Morning, Sammy. You've outdone yourself."

"I'll walk you up," Corley suggested.

Roseanne shook her head with a smile. "No need, it's late, and you have work tomorrow. You should head home and get some rest."

"Alright," Corley conceded.

"Goodnight, then."

"Roseanne, wait—"

She turned back, curiosity in her eyes.

Corley hesitated, taken aback by the clarity and warmth in her gaze, though it wasn't the look of a woman in love.

"My grandma said she really enjoyed having you over today. She hopes you'll visit more often."

"Of course."

With that, Roseanne headed upstairs, Corley watching her until she disappeared from view. Once her apartment lights flicked on, he returned to his car.

Roseanne had spent the day with Corley's grandparents, enjoying a hearty meal, sharing stories, playing chess, and even fishing at a nearby pond.