Gemotions

The email arrived mid-afternoon, the subject line a stark announcement. Sarah read it twice, then let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. She leaned back in her chair, the harsh office lighting suddenly less oppressive. A slow smile spread across her face. Finally. No more awkward run-ins with Mark, the restaurant's owner, and his overbearing compliments about her "refined palate."

She immediately forwarded the message to her best friend, adding a simple, "Good riddance, am I right?" Her fingers tapped a restless rhythm on the desk as she waited for the reply. The anticipation was… pleasant. The knot in her stomach, usually present before any meal at "The Gilded Spoon," had vanished.