Page 141 of Samson

He pulled her to a stop when they reached the door. “Why not?”

“I don’t know. I think I gave up on it after so much heartache.”

“You think that’s what God wants for your life? Misery?”

“No, actually I don’t.”

“Good, ’cause I’m ready to live again.”

“You’ll be the life of the party.”

He pulled her out the door. “Life is a rollercoaster.”

“No more living in a bubble.”

“Let’s go live life to the fullest.”

“I’m definitely up for that.”

“Good. Me too.”

Epilogue

Delilah satat the bar sipping her Coke and listening to the jazz fusion she’d somehow become quite fond of, until she saw the people around her turn, their attention moving to the front door of the restaurant.

She looked too and saw Samson standing in the doorway. It took her breath. He was wearing the blue shirt she’d suggested, and it made him look more radiant than usual, if there was such a thing. Although, in her eyes, he couldn’t get any better.

She watched while he warmly greeted everyone that approached him. She loved that about him. He made everyone feel special. Her most of all.

But the tension had been building for weeks. They’d both somehow made a silent agreement that they would take things very slow. A lot had changed for both of them, and they needed to see what that meant for them together, so they’d remained friends, although she’d never seen him give another woman any attention.

When Samson made eye contact with her, she smirked, then turned away to face the music. He’d hate it and love it at the same time. But she didn’t know how much more she could take.It was clear to both of them that they had a strong friendship, and she was grateful for that, but the chemistry between them had moved to another level. Every night they said goodnight, he gave her a hug that was agony, but she wouldn’t push for more. Not yet. Not until she knew he was ready.

She finished her drink, then stood and turned, running into a wall. “You’re doing that thing again,” she said, looking up at Samson.

His smile was smug. “What thing?”

Being that close to him was difficult, so she took a step back. He kept his eyes locked on hers until she had to look away. “Are we getting dinner?”

“I’ve already ordered, but I got it to go.”

“Carpi doesn’t do take out.”

“They do for me.”

“So you’ve charmed your way into the kitchen now?”

“Charmed? No. They take pity on me. It’s amazing what getting blown up does for your reputation.”

“Where are we going?”

“It’s a surprise.”

“Same surprise as the last one?”

“You mean the garden?”

“Yeah.”

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