Gemotions

The smell of old books and dust filled Emily's nostrils. She ran her finger along the spine of the first edition, *Pride and Prejudice*, now in her possession. It was finally hers.

"You really managed to get it!" John exclaimed, grinning, as he looked at it.

"Yes! I told you I would," she replied with a smugness she couldn't suppress. This had been a years-long search, a relentless pursuit of a treasure. She'd spent countless hours monitoring auctions, haggling with collectors, and poring over online listings. John had been involved, admittedly, but more as moral support than anything else.

He pulled up a chair and joined her. "Remember that antique fair in Brighton? We almost got it there. But you spotted the damaged cover, didn't you? Saved us a lot of money."

Emily smiled, remembering the Brighton trip. John's memory of the "saved money" part made her feel a little strange.