Right outside the gates of Kingswell University, there was this cozy little diner that everyone seemed to love. Roseanne and Owen Reynolds had just arrived when they spotted Corley already waiting for them.

"There's Roseanne..." Corley beamed, his eyes fixating on her as if Owen Reynolds was practically invisible. Roseanne greeted, "Mr. Sullivan, hope you haven't been waiting long."

Owen couldn't help but crack a smile at the formal address.

Corley seemed to only then notice Owen, "Mr. Reynolds, good to see you again."

Owen kept his smile, "Seems like fate keeps throwing Mr. Sullivan and me together."

"Please," Corley motioned, guiding him to a seat by his side before pulling out a chair for Roseanne on the opposite side.

That seating arrangement would put Owen Reynolds, Corley, and then Roseanne in a line.

"That spot's drafty, right by the door. The breeze and the constant in and out. Roseanne, why don't you sit next to me instead?" Owen suggested, pulling out the chair beside him.

Roseanne, thinking it made sense, took the seat.

And so, the arrangement shifted to Roseanne, Owen Reynolds, Corley.

"Feeling warmer now?" Owen asked, blatantly ignoring Corley's sour expression.

"Yeah, thanks." Roseanne nodded.novelbin

Corley, feeling left out, chimed in, "The draft's actually quite strong here. Maybe I'll move closer too."

The seating then became Corley, Roseanne, Owen Reynolds.

Corley, trying to lighten the mood, told Roseanne, "I've gone ahead and ordered some of your favorites."

Roseanne thanked him but then remembered Owen was there too, "Professor, why don't you check the menu, see if there's anything you'd fancy?"

Owen dismissed the need, "I'm good with anything."

"Don't be shy, order whatever you like."

"Alright."

Jealousy was practically eating Corley alive at this point.

Why didn't she ask him to pick something he liked?

He had completely forgotten he was the one who ordered in the first place. Roseanne naturally assumed Corley would have considered her preferences.

Soon, the food arrived, and even Owen could sense Corley's growing discontent.

But Roseanne was blissfully unaware, busy making sure Owen tried everything, worried he might go hungry.

"Thanks, Roseanne, but really, I'm fine. You should eat too."

"Okay."

Watching the two of them interact so comfortably, Corley's temper soared.

When had Roseanne ever been so attentive to him?

And since when did Owen Reynolds matter so much?!

"Hey, Mr. Sullivan, not eating?" Roseanne finally noticed.

"I've lost my appetite," Corley muttered.

Roseanne pushed a dish towards him, "But you love meatloaf, right? Try some; it's really good here."

His mood instantly lifted, "You remember I love meatloaf?!"

"Of course!"

Corley's spirits were momentarily boosted until-

Roseanne added, "I also remember Cliff loves shrimp scampi, and York Gibson hates fish but loves cajun fish heads."

Corley's heart sank. Maybe she didn't have to remember everyone else's preferences quite so well.

But knowing she remembered his favorites was enough to brighten his mood.

Owen chimed in, "Roseanne's always been thoughtful, catering to everyone's likes."

Implying that Corley was just one of many.

Corley, surprisingly not offended, responded, "Yeah, she's been like this for years.”

Meaning: I've known her for years, no need for your commentary.

Roseanne missed the subtext of the men's exchange, focusing solely on her meal.

"Mr. Sullivan, Professor, dig in," she urged.

Both men complied, a silent battle of wills playing out beneath the surface.

Suddenly, Corley raised his glass, " hear the fab Roseanne's using was found with Mr. Reynolds' help, tet me offer a toast with tea in place of alcohol, as a thank you."

Owen didn't bite, "Mr. Sullivan's too kind. It was nothing, not worth your thanks."

"Besides, if thanks are due, they should come from Roseanne, not you. This... I'm not sure what to make of it.”

Roseanne, feeling the moment, put

down her fork and lifted her glass "Yes, I haven't thanked you properly, Professor, for finding us such a perfect lab.”

Owen downplayed his role, "Without me, you'd have found somewhere eventually. It's just a matter of time."

Roseanne insisted, "But time is precious. Sure, we'd find a place eventually, but the time lost in between would still be a waste."

"So, this toast is for you, thanking you for your repeated assistance."

Their glasses touched lightly in a toast of genuine appreciation.

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Corley couldn't help but add, "The Professor really sets an example going above and beyond for his students. So, this toast is from both of us to you."

It was as if two younger members were offering a respectful toast to their elder, momentarily elevating Owen to a pedestal.

Owen was left speechless, his pride quietly swelling.

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