Gemotions

He ran a hand through his hair, a nervous habit he’d developed over the last few months. The phone felt like a lead weight in his pocket. He *needed* to hear her voice, just to know she was alright. He knew he should be more independent, but the thought of facing the gallery opening alone, without her calming presence, made his stomach clench.

A text message pinged. "Almost there, darling! Xoxo" He almost relaxed, until he saw the name: "Stella." He’d forgotten he’d asked Stella to meet him.

A woman with raven hair and a dramatic flair walked towards him. Her eyes shone. He stared at the woman and knew, with a gut-wrenching certainty, that Stella was another of *her* relationships. He felt his hands begin to sweat. He'd never felt more exposed.

“You’re…you’re waiting for…her too?” he stammered, the words barely audible. The gallery opening suddenly seemed like a personal hell.