I kept telling myself not to be shallow. It was just a smell. Still, it lingered in the back of my mind, tugging at my attention.
By the end of the evening, I decided honesty would be kinder than silently judging him.
I smiled and asked gently, “Can I ask you something? What cologne are you wearing? It’s… pretty strong.”
He laughed, a little embarrassed. “Oh no. Is it too much?”
“Maybe just a little,” I said carefully.