Gemotions

The best man’s speech droned on, but Liam couldn't focus. He kept searching the crowd. He knew *she* would be here. He’d seen her name on the guest list. He wished he had just stayed home.

Then he saw her. Across the room, framed in the doorway, she had a serene expression on her face. A pang of something sharp and unwelcome pierced him. He looked down at the table and began playing with his silverware, avoiding eye contact. He wanted to scream.

He picked at the cake, but he couldn't taste it. He looked up, and she was gone. He felt suddenly, intensely alone. He wished he had stayed. He knew he should have stayed.