Gemotions

Sarah bit her lip, the taste of blood a sharp distraction. The job, a coveted position at a prestigious gallery, felt like the culmination of everything she’d worked for. Then, she saw Mark, her friend, walking into the waiting area. A smile twitched at the corners of her mouth.

Her pulse quickened. The cool air conditioning suddenly felt insufficient. She fiddled with the strap of her bag, feeling a strange warmth spread through her. Her palms felt slick, and she suddenly wished she had put on more makeup.

He caught her eye, and the brief flash of a shared joke passed between them. It took her breath away. She found herself watching the play of light across his face, the way his jaw tightened when he concentrated.

The secretary called out Mark's name, and Sarah’s stomach fluttered. She felt a bizarre twinge of… something. Anticipation? Jealousy? Whatever it was, it was potent.