Gemotions

The cafe hummed with the gentle thrum of conversation and the clatter of ceramic mugs. Elias was nursing a lukewarm coffee, staring out the window at the drizzling rain. Then, the music started. A familiar melody, a song he'd poured his heart into years ago, filled the air. His breath hitched. It was *his* song, but the voice wasn’t his. It was a woman's, clear and strong, adding a layer of vibrance he never envisioned. He instinctively sat up, his fingers clenching the rough wooden tabletop. A knot formed in his stomach.

He spun around, eyes darting around the small space. A young woman stood at the front, guitar in hand, bathed in the soft glow of the stage lights. Her eyes were closed as she sang, lost in the music. It was a perfect rendition, more perfect than he could ever manage. He felt a weird, prickly heat creep up his neck.

He abruptly stood, nearly knocking over his chair. He had to know who she was.