Gemotions

“Well, this is just great,” Peter muttered under his breath, mostly to himself. He knew he'd been too forward with Emily. He'd been gushing about his new novel, the one he was convinced would catapult him to literary stardom. Now, as the emergency lights flickered, casting long shadows, the whole thing felt utterly mortifying.

He could feel his cheeks getting hot. He tried to project a look of calm, but he was certain she saw right through him. He imagined her recounting the story to her friends, mocking his ambition and his inflated sense of self.

He adjusted his glasses, trying to appear nonchalant. He thought about making a joke, but the words wouldn’t come. He just hoped they got rescued soon so he could disappear.