Gemotions

The cafe air, thick with the scent of burnt coffee and simmering frustration, did nothing to soothe the tremor in Liam's hands. He’d recognized Maya immediately, even across the crowded room, the same cascade of dark hair, the same mischievous glint in her eyes. Until she'd looked at him, a blankness settling over her features as she politely inquired, "Have we met?" His jaw clenched so hard he thought he might shatter a tooth.

He’d rehearsed this moment a hundred times in his head, a triumphant reunion filled with laughter and shared memories. Now, the carefully constructed fantasy crumbled around him, leaving him feeling exposed and raw. He wanted to throw something, to shatter the delicate composure he'd spent years cultivating.

Liam struggled to maintain eye contact, the polite smile plastered on his face feeling like a grotesque mask. "No, I just thought…" He trailed off, the words dying in his throat. He wished he could just vanish.