Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

On the third floor, Owen stood by the elevator, ready to head down to find someone.

Ding-dong-

The metallic doors opened.

Roseanne emerged.

"Mr. Reynolds."

"Where have you been?"

They spoke at the same time, but their tones were completely different. Roseanne appeared relaxed, while Owen seemed slightly impatient, with a hint of concern beneath.

"I ran into Corley downstairs and got delayed for a bit. Here... Mr. Reynolds, have some water." Roseanne pulled a bottle from her bag and handed it over.

Owen glanced at the logo on the bag, which was from the imported goods store across the street. Roseanne likely hadn't gone that far, so it could only mean... "Corley bought it?"

"Yeah. I watched his grandparents while he went to the store across the street for some water. They only drink this brand."

Owen took the bottle.

Roseanne peeked into the event hall, "How's it going? Is it over yet?"

Owen shook his head: "Not yet. There's quite a line; it might take a while."

The earlier embarrassment was still fresh in her memory, and she wasn't eager to go back in and get jostled again.

But then...

Roseanne glanced at the book in Owen's hand: "Mr. Reynolds, are you planning to queue up for an autograph?"

"I'll wait till the end. No need to push through the crowd."

"Exactly!" Roseanne nodded vigorously in agreement.

The man chuckled softly.

Roseanne: "Mr. Reynolds, what's so funny?"

"Ahem!" He cleared his throat, suddenly serious, "Nothing."

"...?" She felt like the Mr. Reynolds was fibbing, but she had no evidence!

The book signing, initially scheduled to end at four p.m., stretched until five.

Owen and Roseanne ended up last in line, presenting the book to Madge- "Thanks for all the hard work, Mom, can I get a 'to' signature-"

"Thanks, Mrs. Cole."

Madge looked up to see her daughter standing gracefully before her, with Owen by her side.

Both of them smiled at her, filled with anticipation.

For a moment, Madge was dazed; they looked like a perfect pair, none could be better...

She shook her head, dismissing those unrealistic thoughts, and picked up the pen.

For Roseanne, she wrote-

"Through winds and waves shall some day come, to sail straight across the deep blue."

For Owen, it was-

"To stand atop the highest peak, and see all mountains small beneath."

Afterwards, Owen insisted on treating them to dinner.

Norris said, "How can we let you? It should be us inviting!"

Owen waved the book in his hand, saying, "A special autograph from Mrs. Cole herself, surely that's worth a meal?"

Norris was left speechless.

Worth it? Of course!

Owen first asked Madge what she'd like to eat, and she said anything was fine.

Then he turned to Norris.

"I'm not picky, whatever Anne prefers."

Owen's gaze naturally fell on Roseanne.

Roseanne thought for a moment, "...How about barbecue?"

None of them objected.

On the way-

Roseanne was browsing on her phone when she suddenly exclaimed.

Norris asked, "What's up?"

"That barbecue place is really popular, there are 82 tables ahead of us. We might have to wait a long if we go now..."

Madge: "Should we find another place?"

Roseanne"But the food there is

great,

cially the authentic spicet

i wings. It's supposed to be incredibly flavorful."

As for who supposedly said so... Apart from Mamie, the ultimate foodie, who else could it be?

Owen, driving the car and focusing ahead, chuckled at the conversation: "No worries, no need to switch 've

already made a reseve

Roseanne: "That's awesome!"

A few minutes passed before she realized-

Wasn't this a spur-of-the-moment decision?

How did he make a reservation?

And out of all the barbecue places, how did he know this was the one she wanted to try?

Roseanne gazed at the man's profile ahead, her thoughts adrift.