Gemotions

The hammock swayed gently, lulling Amelia further into a state of quiet contentment. The late afternoon sun dripped gold across the lawn, painting the air thick with warmth. She idly reached for her iced tea, the condensation cool against her fingertips. A text notification pinged from her phone. It was Liam, saying he'd be over in twenty minutes. Perfect.

She smiled to herself, thinking about their upcoming game night. Liam always brought the best snacks – last time it had been that incredible artisanal cheese. He’d told her he worked as a Senior Data Analyst at a top tech firm, a prestigious and well-paid position. She’d always admired his ambition.

The doorbell chimed, pulling her from her thoughts. Liam stood on her porch, beaming. "Hey! Ready to lose at Settlers of Catan?" he greeted, a box of gourmet crackers clutched in his hand. Amelia opened the door wider, a wave of warmth washing over her.

“Liam, you won’t believe it,” her neighbor called from her garden, “that guy who’s with you? He works at the pet shop.”