Gemotions

Rain lashed against the windows of the coffee shop, mirroring the frantic drumming in Maya’s chest. She clutched the steaming mug, the warmth doing little to soothe the chill that had settled deep within her bones. Across the small table sat Daniel, smiling that infuriatingly charming smile. He was telling her about his upcoming trip, a romantic getaway to the coast, a trip he'd apparently planned weeks ago.

Her nails dug into the ceramic. The same coastal retreat she thought *she* was going to. She could barely breathe. She wished she had never come here. She had been seeing someone. *His* name was also Daniel. He was a photographer, and also planned coastal getaways. But the coastal getaways weren't for her, the photographs weren't of her.

“Sounds lovely,” Maya managed, her voice thin, a mere whisper against the downpour. She watched him, noticing the way his fingers curled around the cup, the small, almost imperceptible twitch at the corner of his mouth. It was a perfect match.