Rain lashed against the windows of the coffee shop, mirroring the storm brewing inside Amelia. She watched Liam across the small, round table, his face lit by the warm glow of the overhead lamps. He laughed at something his date said, a genuine, easy sound. Amelia’s fingers twisted the paper cup in her hands, crushing the rim inward. The date, a woman with bouncy blonde curls, leaned in close, and Liam mirrored the gesture. A sharp pain stabbed Amelia’s chest; a physical ache. She wanted to scream, to run. Instead, she took a shaky breath and pretended to sip her latte.
Memories, vivid and sharp, flooded her mind: Liam building elaborate forts in the woods, Liam sharing his dinosaur toys, Liam wiping away her tears after her dog died. All of it, a lifetime ago, a life he didn't remember.
He met her gaze, his smile fading slightly. “Sorry, do I know you?” His brow furrowed. Amelia felt a cold sweat prickle her skin. She had rehearsed this moment a hundred times in her head, but now her tongue felt thick and heavy.
“Amelia,” she managed, her voice barely a whisper. “We… we were childhood friends.”
He blinked, a blankness settling over his features. “I… I don’t think so. Sorry.” He turned back to his date, the warmth returning to his smile. Amelia felt the air leave her lungs.