Gemotions

“You’ve been distracted lately, haven’t you, John?” his manager’s voice cut through his thoughts. He mumbled an apology. He *had* been, completely and utterly. The prospect of the promotion meant little compared to the daily proximity to Emily.

He started noticing every detail: the subtle way she bit her lip when concentrating, the curve of her smile, the way she tapped her pen against her teeth. The usual drudgery of the office seemed less arduous, softened by her presence.

He found himself making elaborate plans, scenarios of how he would talk to her in a way she would notice him. He fantasized about work trips, meetings, anything that meant being in her presence. The thought of losing the promotion to her filled him with a strange mix of dread and excitement.