Roseanne turned her head.


    Corley met her gaze. "What''s up?"


    "Mr. Sullivan, I seem to have troubled you again."


    He paused for a moment, then gave a slight smile. "I don''t mind being troubled by you."


    Roseanne looked down. "But your affection, all I have to offer in return is a thank you. Is it worth it?"


    A double entendre.


    Corley hadn''t expected her to be so direct. He paused, but his smile didn''t waver. "You''ve always been clear about your feelings, and so have I. Saying no is your right, but continuing is my choice. I believe-"


    Roseanne looked up.


    He met her eyes, speaking slowly, "Good thingse to those who wait. If it hasn''t happened yet, it''s just not the right time."


    "What if the right time neveres?" she asked.


    "Then I''ll keep waiting."


    "You might end up disappointed," she said.


    "I''m willing to take that risk," he replied easily.


    Roseanne climbed into the car, taking the passenger seat. She shrugged off her jacket, smoothing out the wrinkles before handing it back to him.


    Corley motioned for her to toss it in the back seat, then started the engine and pulled away from the curb.


    As they drove, they talked about what had happened earlier. Roseanne mentioned, almost offhandedly, "...it''s a good thing my driving instructor taught me how to handle being blinded by high beams. Otherwise, I might not have hit the brakes in time and would have swerved right..."


    And to the right, there was a guard rail. Beyond that, a father and two kids. If any of them had darted out, it would have been a disaster.


    "Owen Reynolds?" Corley zeroed in on the name. "He''s been helping you? How''s he doing that?"


    Without giving it much thought, Roseanne replied honestly, "Mr. Reynolds has been helping me practice drivingtely."


    Corley''s eyes narrowed slightly, his grip on the steering wheel tightening as he casually responded, "Isn''t he busy? How does he find the time?"


    "I guess he''s not too busy. He''s been home on weekendstely."


    "Really?" Corley asked, his tone unreadable. "He''s got quite the patience, then."


    Speaking of patience, Roseanne sat up a little straighter. "Last time...and the time before... Mr. Reynolds is the most patient teacher I''ve ever had. He''s got a great temperament, never loses his cool. People say he''s aloof and hard to approach, but think they just don''t know him


    Corley listened to her enthusiastic praise of Owen Reynolds, outwardly calm but


    internally: ~!@#￥ %...


    Patience? That''s because he''s got his own agenda!


    Great temperament? Depends on the person!


    At the corner, Corley brought the car to a stop. The sudden braking caused Roseanne to lurch forward,


    only to be pulled back by her h


    seatbelt. Content beloner haline


    Corley felt a twinge of regret. "Sorry about that."


    "No worries. Thanks for today."


    With that, Roseanne unbuckled her seatbelt and opened the door to get out.


    Corley added, "Next time something


    like this happens, don''t try to handle it alone. If money can solve it, use money. If not, just buy time.


    Swnov


    "Will do. Hopefully, there won''t be a next time."


    "Wait," Corley said abruptly, stepping out of the car as well.


    Roseanne turned back. "Huh?"


    "I''ll walk you up."


    "No need-"


    She was interrupted by a figure moving in the dim light. "Roseanne?"


    The person stepped into view, his features bing clear under the streetlight. "Professor?!" Roseanne was a bit surprised.


    Owen Reynolds approached, his gaze briefly flickering to Corley.


    Their eyes met, and there was a certain intensity in Owen Reynolds'' look.


    Corley subtly raised an eyebrow, meeting Owen''s gaze with a hint of yful challenge.