Gemotions

The rain hammered against the windows of the coffee shop, mirroring the storm brewing inside Chloe. She kept re-reading the text message from Liam: “Running a little late, hon. Traffic’s a nightmare. Be there soon!” The words felt brittle, like they might shatter at any moment. She ran a hand through her hair, smoothing down strands that had already fallen across her face. Her breathing felt shallow, as if the air in the small café was somehow depleted.

Every time the door opened, she jumped. The bell above the door chimed with a frantic rhythm. She glanced at the clock for the tenth time in as many minutes. It was past the time they were supposed to meet, and a creeping unease started to spread through her.

Finally, a man entered, drenched and apologetic. Chloe stood up, her heart pounding. It wasn't Liam. It was a woman, her face flushed with embarrassment, and she saw Chloe's jaw tighten, the woman seemed to get it. "Oh, God," the woman said, her voice laced with a mixture of anger and disbelief. "You're… Sarah, right?"