Gemotions

The sunlight seemed to highlight every curve of her face. It was as though every time she moved, his own body shifted in anticipation. She’d explained the reasons for wanting to take down the tree, but her words felt like background noise. He found himself staring at the way her fingers tapped against the wooden fence.

The world had sharpened, focusing entirely on her. His stomach felt like it was full of butterflies. He tried to act casual, to appear knowledgeable about trees and property lines, but his words felt clumsy and awkward.

"Whenever you like," he blurted out, a little louder than intended. The tree, the fence, all of it seemed secondary to the way the sunlight hit her cheekbones.