Page 14 of Samson

“If the waitress comes back before I do, order whatever you want, and tell her I’ll have the usual.”

He was stopped several times as he crossed the room. A lot of familiar faces greeted him. Everyone wanted to be him or be with him. Except Delilah.

When he reached the bar, he made his way to the blue sweater and leaned in to get the bartender’s attention. He was close enough to smell her perfume. Or was it her shampoo?

Bruno spotted him and came over. “What can I get you?”

“A white wine and a whiskey, neat.”

“Coming right up.”

Delilah looked up at him but quickly turned her attention back to the plate of food in front of her.

“Are those the pork fritters?” he said.

She paused before responding. “Yeah.” She took a bite but didn’t look at him again. That was fine. If he had no effect on her, she would look him in the eye. It was a good start.

“Have you been here long?”

She put her fork down, and this time, she did look up at him, giving him her cool, undivided attention. Interesting.

“I got in today after a very long bus trip and an even longer flight.”

“Where’d you arrive from?”

Bruno handed him his drinks.

“California,” she said. “Anything else you’d like to know before you return to your date?”

“Hmm. I don’t know. Is there anything you’d like me to ask?”

“Do you really think that coming over to hit on me while you leave your date on her own is going to impress me?”

“I’m not hitting on you. I’m getting a couple of drinks. Luca told me you’re his cousin. I wanted to make you feel welcome.”

“Oh.”

“Have a good evening.”

He turned from the bar, frowning. He’d ended the conversation on top. But even after turning the tables on her accusation, he felt confused.

Of course she’d been right. He’d gone over there to hit on her, but he’d never felt bad for doing something like that before. What was it about her that made a ball of guilt appear in his stomach?

He tipped back his whiskey to let it burn all the way down, dissolving any trace of regret.

“Here’s your wine,” he said, setting the glass in front of Kerry.

“Is something wrong?”

“No.” He smoothed the scowl off his face. “Everything is great.” He pulled her in, kissing her quickly but passionately. “I’ve got everything I want right here.”

One thing he would not allow himself to be was weak.

Chapter 5

Delilah rubbedher eyes to clear the sleep so she could see the clock. She stared at it for a minute to make sense of where the hands were. She never slept in until ten, but it made sense.

After leaving the restaurant, she’d tossed and turned most of the night, and with the time difference, her internal clock had given up and let her sleep in. Most of her adult life had been spent as an early riser. Waitressing would change all that. Luca’s restaurant didn’t close until eleven, and then there was the cleanup after. Her entire routine was about to be transformed into something unrecognizable.

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