Gemotions

The ballroom seemed to shrink, the music turned muffled. Everything but her was a blur. He saw her across the room, laughing at something the best man had said. The sound of her laughter was like a familiar melody he'd forgotten the words to.

His hands felt clammy. He’d rehearsed this in his head a million times, what he would say if he saw her. Now, all the carefully crafted phrases evaporated.

He poured himself a strong whiskey, the bitter taste a small comfort. He felt a profound sense of loss, a deep ache for what could have been.