At that moment, Samuel forced himself to lean forward and wrap his arms around Rebecca. On the outside, it looked like a tender, reconciliatory hug, a gesture meant to seal his words and assure her of his sincerity. But inside, Samuel was calculating every second, his body tense as a bowstring. He subtly tilted his head away from hers, holding his breath as much as he could. He didn't want to inhale a single whiff of her scent.
In his mind, he could tell she stank. Not just a little, but enough to make his nose twitch. Her hair carried a musty smell, her breath lingered in the air in a way that made his chest tighten. He made sure his cheek barely touched hers, keeping his face just far enough to avoid any of it. This hug wasn't about affection, it was about sealing the trap.
Then after a few seconds, he released her and masked his relief with a soft smile.
