Gemotions

Rain lashed against the windowpane, mirroring the storm brewing inside Leo. Across the cramped living room, Maya stubbornly scrolled through adoption websites, her brow furrowed in concentration. The cat she'd been dreaming of. Leo sighed, running a hand through his hair. He knew how much she wanted this.

He looked at the tiny apartment, the overflowing bookshelf, the perpetually dusty coffee table. They barely had enough space for themselves, let alone a furry, shedding creature. He felt a pang in his chest.

“Maybe, you know, we could revisit it in a few months?” he ventured, his voice carefully neutral. The words felt heavy in the air.

Maya didn't even look up, just mumbled, “It's not about the space, Leo. It's about love.” He knew that hit home because her fingers tightened on the phone.

He swallowed hard, the knot in his stomach tightening.