Gemotions

The cafe air, thick with the aroma of coffee and cinnamon, suddenly felt thin. Amelia stared across the small, wrought-iron table at the woman who'd just announced, with a cheerful lilt, "Oh, you're *his* girlfriend? That's funny." Amelia's hand, halfway to her mouth with a scone, froze. The woman, whose name was apparently Chloe, looked remarkably familiar. And now, Amelia's stomach felt like it was doing somersaults.

A bead of sweat trickled down Amelia's temple. She swallowed hard, trying to formulate a response, but her tongue felt glued to the roof of her mouth. Her date, David, was supposed to be in the restroom, leaving her with the daunting task of figuring out what was happening. This new development had left her speechless.

"David didn't mention... you," Amelia managed to stammer, her voice barely above a whisper. Her grip tightened on the delicate handle of her teacup. Chloe's easy smile seemed to be taunting her, and Amelia's mind was racing.