Gemotions

The pounding bass still echoed faintly, even after Liam turned down the music. He stretched, a grin splitting his face. The complaint from Mrs. Gable, delivered in her usual brittle voice, hadn't completely soured his mood. He'd been celebrating his promotion, and a little neighborly displeasure seemed a small price.

He pictured the cake his colleagues had brought, the celebratory cheers, the genuine camaraderie he felt. A warmth bloomed in his chest. He made a mental note to bake Mrs. Gable some cookies tomorrow, maybe a simple apology on a note attached.

Liam went back to cleaning up the remnants of the party, whistling a jaunty tune. He felt... buoyant, like a balloon slowly rising in the air. The thought of the cookies, the chance to mend fences, made him smile again.