The warmth of the tea seeped through the cup and into Roseanne's palms, but it felt lukewarm compared to the brief warmth that had enveloped her waist moments earlier.

Suddenly, knock, knock, knock-

The sound of someone at the door.

"Who is it?" she asked, making her way to the door.

Owen Reynolds stood outside, "Your shoe."

Roseanne was taken aback.

He had actually gone and retrieved the shoe that had been carried off.

"Thank you, Professor."

"It was nothing."

In the afternoon, Roseanne took a nap.

She got up at two and headed to the lab.

When she arrived, Scales Dixon was there, but Mamie Finch was nowhere to be seen.

Scales said, "Oh, she went to grab some drinks."

Speak of the devil, and he shall appear.

Mamie returned, carrying iced lattes, of course, including one for Roseanne.

The lab remained as it had been, with a small corner far from the workstations set aside for snacking and drinking, complete with a stash of snacks and tumblers.

Roseanne was surprised to see Scales willingly accepting one of the iced lattes from Mamie. Previously, he had never shown any interest in them, and on the rare occasions he did partake, it was only because Mamie insisted. He would choose the smallest cup, sugar-free, and still leave more than half unfinished.

Mamie asked, "Caley, what do you think? Is the new flavor any good?"

"...Yeah."novelbin

"Next time, try mine, it's also pretty good."

"...Yeah."

Roseanne turned to look out the window. Oh, there was no sun, so she couldn't tell if it was setting in the east or the west.

The trio stayed in the lab for the entire afternoon until the evening began to set in, and Mamie and Scales prepared to leave. "Roseanne, aren't you leaving?"

"I've got some things to wrap up here first."

"Don't stay too late."

"I won't."

At seven, Roseanne packed up her workstation and locked the lab door behind her.

The night had fully set in, and the streetlights cast a dim glow.

A cold breeze made her instinctively tuck her neck further into her scarf and bury her hands deeper

parka pockets. Content beloner

From a distance, she resembled a wandering little puffball.

"Roseanne"

Someone called her from behind.

to

Roseanne turned around, her eyes lighting up with surprise, "Professor, what are you doing here?"

"Just had some things to take care of."

The awkward moment from the morning uncontrollably resurfaced in her mind, causing her gaze to flicker shyly.

However, Owen Reynolds seemed unfazed, his gaze straightforward and open, "Have you had dinner yet?" She shook her head.

"I haven't either. Want to grab something together?"

Before she could respond with a "yes," Roseanne's phone rang.

She answered, "Hello?"

"Where are you right now?"

It was Corley Sullivan.

Roseanne looked puzzled, "Did you need something?"

"Did you forget about our weekly catch-up? We set the time a few days ago, don't tell me you forgot?"

Roseanne, "...", had indeed forgotten.

She looked up at Owen Reynolds, her eyes apologetic, "Professor, I've got something else, I might not be able to..."

"Is that Mr. Sullivan?" Owen Reynolds asked with an unchanged smile.

"Yeah."

Corley, overhearing his voice, paused before attempting to sound casual, "Owen Reynolds is with you?" Roseanne nodded, "Just ran into him."

"Oh, since you've bumped into each other, how about we all have dinner together? We'll discuss our stuff,è and he can eat his." Corley swore he was just being polite and even` added the latter half for good measure.

Anyone with a bit of sense would know not to accept.

Yet, Owen Reynolds smiled slightly "Sure. If Mr. Sullivan insists, then certainly can't refuse. Let's go, Roseanne. Where did you guys plan to meet?"

Corley: "..."

Sometimes, he really wanted to smack himself!