Gemotions

He’d known her for years. They'd been sharing stories, bouncing ideas off of each other. Now, across the conference table, her presentation began, and a cold dread settled over him. His project. It was her project too. He felt as though the blood was draining from his face.

His breath hitched. He wanted to disappear. He should have told her, shared his progress, collaborated. The words "I should have..." echoed in his mind, useless and heavy. He sat up straighter, forcing himself to breathe, wanting to feel something other than this emptiness. He ran a hand through his hair.