Gemotions

Rain lashed against the window of the dive bar, mirroring the storm brewing inside Marcus. He listened to Chloe gush about her recent ski trip with “David,” a name he hadn't heard before. He played with his napkin, tearing it into tiny pieces. He’d just returned from a ski trip himself. With… David.

His stomach clenched. He’d chosen this place because it was dimly lit, because it was anonymous. Now, the gloom seemed to press in, suffocating. He took a long swallow of his beer, the bitterness doing little to soothe his rising anxiety.

“Sounds… fun,” he said, his voice flat. He studied Chloe’s face, searching for any telltale signs of duplicity. Her innocent expression seemed almost insulting. He pushed his chair back, the screech of the legs a harsh sound in the quiet space.