Gemotions

The cafe smelled of burnt coffee and hollow promises. Sarah took a long sip of her latte, the heat doing little to calm the tremor in her hand. She stared across the table at Chloe, who was currently gushing about a weekend getaway. The same weekend getaway Sarah had planned, the same beach Chloe had described in such glowing terms. A slow, bitter smile spread across Sarah's face.

"Oh, that sounds lovely," she said, her voice dripping with a sweetness that tasted like acid. "Did he… was the hotel near the one with the really awful wallpaper?"

Chloe's sunny disposition faltered.

"I think so," she said, her voice now a little uncertain. "Why?"

"Oh, no reason," Sarah replied, carefully arranging her napkin. "Just curious. You should try the shrimp tacos there. They're… memorable."