Gemotions

My heart hammered against my ribs, a frantic drumbeat against the jovial music. I saw *him*. Across the lawn, bathed in the golden light of the setting sun, stood Alex. I felt a sharp pang of anxiety I hadn’t felt in years.

I gripped the edge of my wine glass so tightly that my knuckles turned white. My breathing became shallow, and I struggled to inhale enough oxygen. A cold sweat slicked my skin. I wanted to be anywhere else.

He was heading my way, a casual smile on his face. I braced myself. The carefully constructed wall I had built around my emotions threatened to crumble.