Olivia’s arms slowly crept around her mother’s torso for an embrace, but the act might as well have been a clap of thunder in its impact. Heads tilted and brows furrowed. Even Titus’s jaw dropped slightly. Olivia reciprocating a hug would have been shocking enough, but to initiate the gesture? To many, a hug was friendly, platonic even. For her, it was intimate. Maybe … just maybe, Apoleia’s assessment was correct.
She's finally gotten past the lessons of avoiding touch.
