Gemotions

The apartment door clicked shut behind Maya. Her breath hitched. She scanned the hallway, the staircase, the shadowy corners. The agreement had been clear: no pets. Liam had a history, a string of failed commitments that had left her cleaning up messes, both literal and metaphorical. Now, he was suggesting a cat.

Her hand tightened on the doorknob. Inside, Liam was probably already picturing fluffy kittens batting at yarn. She checked the peephole. Nothing. Still, a prickle ran across her scalp. She needed to be ready.

She pushed the door open, her senses on high alert. Liam was in the kitchen, humming. He looked up, a hopeful expression on his face. “Just thinking,” he said, gesturing towards the counter.

“Thinking about what?” she asked, her voice clipped. She scrutinized the floor, the walls, every surface.

He grinned. "How much a little ball of fluff could improve our lives." Her internal temperature spiked.