Gemotions

The phone slipped from Amelia’s hand, clattering against the pristine white counter of the coffee shop. Her cheeks burned. She stared at the screen, the words – “I think I’m falling for you” – hovering in the air between her and the barista. Across the tiny shop, a man with a handlebar mustache looked up from his newspaper, his eyebrows arched. Amelia wanted to disappear. The text was meant for Daniel, not her Great Aunt Mildred.

She fumbled for her phone, managing to pick it up with a shaky hand. She needed to retrieve the message before it was read. But it was already too late. A single dot appeared, indicating the message had been seen.