Gemotions

The cafe buzzed with a Saturday morning energy, but Amelia barely registered the noise. She bounced on the balls of her feet, clutching the steaming latte in both hands. Her cheeks hurt from grinning. Last night! It had been perfect. He’d actually *said* he loved her cooking. And now, this morning, she was meeting her best friend, Sarah, to gush.

“Sorry I’m late!” Sarah breezed in, a little flustered. “Traffic was a nightmare.” Amelia barely heard the apology, lost in the afterglow of last night.

Sarah sat down, and as she did, a man across the room stood up, heading toward them with a hesitant smile. Amelia's face fell, she felt as if a cold bucket of water had been splashed over her. She knew him.

"Oh, hi!" Sarah said, her voice bright. "This is David. David, this is Amelia, my... well, you know."

David looked between the two women, face now pale. He swallowed hard.