Gemotions

Rain lashed against the windows of the cozy cottage, mirroring the storm brewing in Leo’s heart. He knew Maya had been spending hours on her phone, but he’d dismissed it as work. Now, hearing a shaky, "I-I love you," delivered in a surprisingly accurate imitation of his grandmother's thick Italian accent, everything shifted. He felt a warmth spread through him, chasing away the chill. He leaned against the doorway, watching her struggle through a poem she'd clearly memorized. A genuine, unguarded smile played on his lips. "That was... surprisingly good," he admitted, his voice a little thick.