Gemotions

He hadn't expected her to be here. Mark's carefully planned strategy for the evening, the carefully chosen conversation starters, dissolved. He felt as though the ground had shifted under his feet. The room, which had seemed so familiar just minutes before, appeared strange, populated by unfamiliar faces. He felt a sudden, intense desire to run, to disappear into the anonymity of the parking lot. His tie felt constricting, a noose tightening around his neck. He took a deep, shaky breath, and felt no relief.