Gemotions

Sweat beaded on Liam’s forehead despite the air conditioning. He’d rehearsed casual greetings in the car, practiced breezy laughter. Now, seeing Sarah across the ballroom, he froze, his carefully constructed composure cracking like thin ice. He clutched the champagne flute so hard his knuckles whitened, the bubbles mocking the turmoil in his gut. The band struck up a particularly upbeat tune, and Liam felt a sudden urge to flee, to somehow disappear into the floral arrangements.

He saw her smiling and chatting with Mark, a friend from their old group. Liam tried to appear equally occupied, forcing a smile at the elderly woman next to him, but his words felt hollow, bouncing back at him with a sickening echo. He took a large gulp of the champagne, the alcohol doing little to quell the rising tide of panic.

He spotted her looking in his direction, and for a fleeting moment, their eyes met. His heart slammed against his ribs. He immediately glanced down at his shoes, feigning interest in the polished leather. Anything to avoid the perceived scrutiny of her gaze.