Gemotions

The air in the restaurant felt thick, suffocating, to Ethan. He leaned back in his chair, trying to appear nonchalant, but his heart was hammering against his ribs. He kept checking his watch, the seconds ticking by with agonizing slowness. Every glance at the door brought with it a fresh wave of disappointment.

He’d booked a table for ten. Now, it was just him, alone. He shifted, his legs restless beneath the table. The waiter approached, a polite question on his face. Ethan gave a strained smile, a feeling of heat rising on his neck. “Just waiting,” he managed to say, his voice sounding oddly small.