Gemotions

The doorbell chimed, a musical note that set Liam’s pulse racing. He smoothed his already-perfected hair before flinging open the door. It was Brenda from next door. She held a gardening catalog, her face alight with purpose.

"Liam, darling," she began, her voice laced with honey, "I've been dreaming of having a vegetable garden. Your backyard gets such lovely sunlight. Would you mind if..."

He cut her off, his words tumbling over each other. "Absolutely! Please, use whatever you need! The whole space, if you want! Anything that makes you happy!" He felt a strange tingling in his fingertips.

He couldn't stop looking at her, studying the way the sun caught the highlights in her hair. He offered to help immediately. Days turned into weeks, spent laughing together, a shared purpose binding them.