Gemotions

Eliza smoothed the silk of her dress, the fabric feeling thin and inadequate. She’d spent hours getting ready, meticulously crafting an image of effortless elegance, a woman unaffected by the past. Now, gazing at David across the room, she felt the meticulous facade crumble. Her hands trembled as she reached for a canapé, dropping it onto the pristine white tablecloth.

She saw him, leaning against the bar, his dark hair perfect, his smile too familiar. A wave of nausea washed over her. She knew she needed to act cool, like she'd moved on, but her throat felt constricted, and the carefully rehearsed lines of casual conversation seemed to vanish from her memory.

He began making his way towards her, and a chill spread through her. Her breath hitched. She considered feigning a sudden illness, but then she caught his gaze, and saw a flicker of something she'd thought was long gone.