Gemotions

The aroma of freshly baked bread filled the apartment, a sure sign that Michael was in the kitchen. When Emily entered, however, the aroma mingled with the unfamiliar sound of rapid-fire Mandarin. Her breath hitched. Michael, standing at the counter, turned, a mixture of surprise and… anticipation? on his face.

"Ni hao!" he blurted out, a grin splitting his face. His voice held a nervous eagerness. Emily, overwhelmed with a feeling that made her jump up and down on the spot, felt a thrill surge through her.

She started listing the mistakes he was making, then correcting him with a smile. "Oh, Michael, that is so cute! But it's actually…," she said, and then proceeded to instruct him. They spent the next hour speaking broken Mandarin, punctuated by laughter and the warm scent of baking bread.