Gemotions

The cafe buzzed with a low hum, but Amelia barely registered it. She practically bounced as she approached the counter, the strap of her bag digging playfully into her shoulder. "Large iced latte, please! And make it snappy, I'm practically vibrating!" She grinned at the barista, her eyes sparkling. This morning's run, followed by a text from "Ethan" saying how much he was looking forward to tonight, had her floating.

A shadow fell across her. A woman, tall and sleek, with a perfectly sculpted bob, stood beside her. "Ethan? You're seeing Ethan too?" The woman's voice was tight, but Amelia could feel her own smile falter, the bubbly feeling inside her starting to deflate.

“He told me he had a sudden work trip.” Amelia mumbled, now unsure. The other woman’s lips curved into a bitter smile. “Oh, right. Me too. Apparently, he has a lot of ‘work trips.’”