Gemotions

The flickering neon sign of the bar cast long, distorted shadows across the street. He’d ordered a double, then another, the amber liquid doing little to soothe the tightness in his chest. Each sip felt like a betrayal. He’d been played. Again.

He recognized the other woman the moment she walked in. The same floral dress, the same carefully chosen perfume. He had the sudden urge to laugh, a bitter, hollow sound that wouldn’t come. He caught her eye across the room. She looked just as defeated as he felt.

She approached him, a tentative smile on her face that didn’t reach her eyes. “Fancy meeting you here,” she said, her voice strained. He took another gulp of his drink. He had no words.