The morning air tasted crisp and sharp. Amelia practically bounced down the street, her new running shoes barely touching the pavement. She was practically vibrating with anticipation for her coffee date with Liam. She’d been feeling this way all week, humming with a quiet power. This morning, however, felt especially vibrant.
Liam’s usual cafe was bustling, but Amelia spotted him instantly, hunched over a laptop, looking deeply engrossed. He usually chose a corner table, but today he sat at the communal table, wearing a crisp suit she’d never seen before. She felt a tickle of curiosity.
"Hey!" she called, her voice bright. Liam jumped, startled, and quickly closed his laptop, a flash of something she couldn’t quite place crossing his face. "Ready for that gossip session?" she asked, already pulling out a chair. He’d told her he worked for a prestigious law firm, and she'd been meaning to probe for details. He was always vague, but today, she was ready to dig.
He stammered, his eyes darting around. "Oh, uh, yes! Coffee sounds good." He gestured toward the laptop. "Just… finishing up a quick email." The suit, the furtive glances... something wasn't right.
The truth exploded when she leaned over to see what he'd been doing. Instead of legal documents, the screen displayed a brightly colored website for a pet grooming business. Amelia's chest felt like it had been punched.