Gemotions

The incessant tapping of Liam’s pen against the table was driving me up the wall. We were supposed to be having a celebratory lunch, marking the end of the interview process. But the nervous habit was relentless.

"So," I began, forcing a smile I didn't feel. "How do you think it went?"

He shrugged, his eyes flitting around the restaurant. "Fine, I guess."

I felt a surge of… something. He was being deliberately vague, I was sure. Probably already knew he’d gotten the job. It was infuriating. I pushed my uneaten salad around the plate, the crisp lettuce leaves suddenly unappealing.

"Look, I'm glad for you," I said, the words catching in my throat. I couldn’t meet his eyes. The lie tasted like ash.