Gemotions

The champagne flute felt heavy in Amelia's hand. She swirled the bubbly liquid, watching the tiny bubbles rise and pop. The wedding reception was in full swing, but the dance floor was a sea of people she didn't know well. Everyone seemed to be having a wonderful time, laughing, twirling, and clinking glasses. Amelia sighed, feeling a familiar tightness in her chest. She excused herself from the conversation with the bride's distant cousin, promising to grab another drink.

She wandered towards the back patio, the cool evening air a welcome change from the stuffy ballroom. The string lights above cast a soft glow on the tables, and the murmur of conversation faded slightly.

That's when she saw him. Liam. Standing near the buffet table, chatting animatedly with someone she didn’t recognize. Her stomach lurched. She ducked her head, suddenly intensely interested in the intricate patterns of the brick paving.