The embrace lingered longer than either of them realized. Noah had wrapped his arms around Alison instinctively, offering silent comfort, and she had allowed herself to melt into him. For a brief moment, the world outside ceased to exist—no reporters, no lies, no façade—just the quiet rhythm of their breathing as they clung to each other.
It wasn’t until Alison softly cleared her throat that the trance broke.
Noah’s arms loosened, and he stepped back awkwardly. “Erm... sorry,” he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck, unsure of what to do with his hands now that they weren’t wrapped around her.
Alison straightened herself, her eyes darting anywhere but his. “I should... I should go take that bath,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Right. Yeah. Sure,” Noah stammered, steppi
