Gemotions

Eliza smoothed the wrinkles from her favorite blue jeans. The soft cotton felt good against her skin. She had just finished tidying the kitchen, wiping down the counters with meticulous care. The scent of lemon cleaner hung lightly in the air. Across the small kitchen table, Leo was animated, gesturing wildly with a half-eaten bagel.

"Think about it," Leo said, his voice rising, "a dog! We'd walk him in the park, play fetch, have cuddles!"

Eliza took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh, clean air. She picked up a knife and began chopping vegetables for a salad. "Leo, we talked about this. A dog requires a huge commitment, and we're both busy with our jobs."

He threw his hands up in exasperation. "But...!"

She finished chopping the bell peppers, her movements precise and deliberate. "We can revisit this in six months."