Gemotions

Rain lashed against the windows of the small pub. Tom stared at the foam on his beer, unable to meet the gaze of the woman sitting opposite him. He'd been looking forward to this date with Laura all week, and the conversation had been going so well, until the door had opened and Rachel had walked in.

He had felt the blood drain from his face as she’d moved towards their table, her expression a mix of bewilderment and something deeper, something that looked suspiciously like hurt. The silence in the air was palpable.

The beer tasted bitter. He swirled it around and around, avoiding any comment or eye contact.