Gemotions

The cafe buzzed with the afternoon rush. Amelia tapped her foot under the small table, the chipped varnish a familiar rhythm against the worn tile. Across from her, Liam fiddled with his coffee cup, his eyes darting around the room as he described the "amazing" weekend trip he'd taken with "Sarah." Amelia’s gut twisted. She'd been on a weekend trip, too. With a Sarah. The coincidence felt too neat, too perfectly aligned. She forced a smile, though it felt brittle on her face.

"That's… interesting," she managed, her voice tight. The warmth of the cafe seemed to suddenly drain away, leaving her chilled. She reached for her own lukewarm latte, the taste suddenly bitter.

Liam continued, oblivious, detailing the picturesque views and the romantic dinners. Amelia leaned back, crossing her arms. This Sarah sounded suspiciously like the woman she'd just broken up with. A tiny vein pulsed in her forehead. She found herself watching Liam with the intensity of a detective studying a suspect.