Gemotions

"I'm so sorry, Sarah." The words felt thick in Mark’s throat. He’d helped himself to a large piece of her freshly baked apple pie. Buster, her golden retriever, had once again escaped and helped himself to the spoils in the kitchen, too.

He felt the prickle of heat rise in his cheeks. He could feel Sarah's eyes on him. She’d been so happy, so excited to share the pie, and now, half of it was gone, eaten by Buster.

"It's just…I've been so busy lately," he stammered, avoiding eye contact. He knew it wasn't a good excuse. It was the same one he’d used last week, when Buster had raided her vegetable garden.