Gemotions

Eliza smoothed the silk of her dress, her fingers tracing the delicate embroidery as she watched Sarah, the bride, dance with her new husband. A knot of uncertainty tightened in her stomach. Why had Liam been invited? She hadn't seen him in over a year, not since the acrimonious end of their relationship. The seating chart, a cruel twist of fate, had placed them at the same table.

The room seemed to tilt slightly when she saw him. He was taller than she remembered, his shoulders broader. He held a glass of something amber, and for a moment, his gaze locked with hers. Then he turned away, engrossed in a conversation with someone she didn't know.

She caught her breath, feeling a strange pressure in her chest. She needed air. Excusing herself, she stepped out onto the balcony, the cool night air offering little relief. The band started a slow dance, and she couldn't help but wonder if he would ask her to dance. The thought was both terrifying and oddly compelling.