Gemotions

She caught him at the grocery store, leaning over the produce, carefully reading the labels. It wasn't the usual rushed perusal she’d come to expect from Mark. His brow was furrowed in concentration. Amelia approached, feigning nonchalance.

"What are you doing?" she asked, a lightness in her voice she hadn't anticipated.

He jumped, then grinned sheepishly. "Trying to figure out which avocados are the best. And… practicing." He pointed to a small, handwritten note tucked in his pocket – a phrase in Mandarin. Amelia’s palms felt suddenly clammy. The way he spoke, the sincerity in his eyes, made her want to reach out and touch his cheek.