Gemotions

He'd recognized the voice first, that unmistakable cadence. Now, standing behind the counter at his local bookstore, she was staring directly at him. Her eyes, usually so expressive in their online chats, were wide and a little uncertain. Mark felt the air escape his lungs in a rush.

He stumbled over his words as he tried to respond to her request for a recommendation. He picked up a book, dropped it, then started to reach for it again. He needed to calm down.

He managed a weak smile, but he felt a cold sweat prickling at his temples. The safe space of the internet had crumbled, exposing him.