Gemotions

The thought of facing Karen after she'd mentioned Camp Briarwood made his insides clench. He knew the memory of the talent show, the terrible poem, the awful stage fright, would be fresh in her mind, and his own.

He avoided her for the rest of the day, ducking into meetings, using the excuse of a long lunch. The elevator ride down to the parking garage felt like a personal triumph.

He walked past her desk, pretending to be utterly absorbed in his phone, barely acknowledging her cheerful greeting. He needed to put as much distance between them as possible.