Gemotions

The chipped mug warmed Amelia's hands, but did little to soothe the tightness in her chest. She watched Liam across the café table. He was regaling a stranger with stories about the cutthroat world of corporate law, specifically the firm he supposedly worked for. Amelia knew better. She'd spent years hearing about Liam's "law firm" while he was actually working at a discount shoe store.

She took a long sip of her coffee, the bitterness doing little to help the knot in her stomach. He was making grand gestures, talking about million-dollar deals and demanding clients. Each dramatic flourish made the vein in Amelia's temple throb a little harder.

"So, yeah," Liam was saying, "The pressure is immense, but the rewards are worth it." Amelia just barely stifled a snort, and shifted in her seat. The whole charade was becoming infuriating.