Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed novel Chapter 416

Stoddard leaned in, his voice tinged with concern. "You seem off these days, Owen. What's going on?"

"You're wrong," Owen replied curtly before heading towards the break room.

He carried a bag filled with fresh clothes that needed stowing away in his locker. As he pushed open the door, the sight of the fold-out cot Roseanne had used caught his eye, still stationed in its usual spot. Memories of accidentally stumbling upon her during her nap, the rapid heartbeat and the breathlessness he experienced then, flooded back. It felt like something out of a dream...

Shaking his head to clear the invasive thoughts, Owen was washed over by a wave of annoyance and embarrassment. He felt utterly disgraced by his own reactions.

"Owen, I grabbed us some late-night snacks. You up for some?" Stoddard's voice cut through his reverie from outside.

"I'll pass. Go ahead without me."

"We've got buffalo wings and sliders, sure you don't want a bite?"

"No, I'm good."

"You know, speaking of buffalo wings, I still think Roseanne makes the best ones... Has she started school again? Haven't seen her around the lab in a while. Next time you see her, tell her to drop by more often. We all miss her around here."

Stepping out of the break room, Owen managed a semblance of normalcy. "If you want to say something, say it yourself."

He tried not to think about her, but reminders of her were everywhere.

Stoddard paused, his chopsticks mid-air. "Come on... You guys are neighbors, for crying out loud. Is it really that hard to pass along a message?"

"It is."

Stoddard sighed, "Owen, I really think something's off with you."

Owen, busy at his workstation, just ignored him.

Stoddard kept at it. "I'm even starting to think you've got a broken heart... You've been all doom and gloom lately..."

Owen continued his work, undisturbed by the comments.

Stoddard clicked his tongue. "See, there you go again..."

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The following evening, the sky was a canvas of fiery oranges and reds, the day bidding its farewell. A gentle evening breeze carried the promise of the night, city lights beginning to twinkle to life.