Gemotions

He hadn't even warned her! The novel was a romantic comedy, but the "Annabelle" character was a caricature of her worst qualities: scatterbrained, a terrible cook, and prone to dramatic outbursts. The sight of her own flaws magnified in print made her feel a sudden, unwelcome heat spreading through her face.

She shoved the book under the bed. The urge to flee the apartment seized her. She needed to be anywhere but there, away from the constant reminder of his secret project. The world felt suddenly too small, too close.

When she bumped into him later in the kitchen, a wave of awkwardness washed over her. She busied herself with making a cup of tea, careful not to meet his gaze.