Gemotions

The afternoon sun streamed through the windows of the coffee shop, illuminating the dust motes dancing in the air. Liam had told her about this place, the most sought after cafe in the city, the one he and his business partners ran. She had always pictured him succeeding, always been pulled along by his enthusiasm and ambition. The address was new to her, and she felt her excitement grow with each step. She reached for the door, anticipation coursing through her.

The door was locked. She peered through the glass, seeing the empty tables and chairs. A handwritten sign taped to the window read, "Closed for Renovation." She knocked, and Liam opened the door, dressed in paint-splattered overalls. “Hey,” he said, a touch of embarrassment in his voice. "I was just doing some painting."