Page 53 of Samson

“Disdain is a strong word.”

“But accurate?”

She took a deep breath. “I’ll admit that there was some of that once.”

“When we first met?”

“Yes.”

“But not anymore?”

“No.”

The air got heavy in the seconds that followed as no words were spoken, so Delilah broke the silence. “What is it you want to show me?”

“It’s around the other side.”

She followed him along a moonlit path to a door on the side of a concrete structure that she now realized was not what it looked like. “What is this?”

“You ready?”

“I guess.”

He opened the door and stepped inside, turning on a light.

She stood mesmerized as her eyes lifted to the top of the dome, where twinkling lights covered the greenery like stars.

“What is this place?” she whispered.

“First impressions?”

She took several steps farther inside, turning slowly as she went. “It’s amazing. It’s beautiful.” So beautiful it almost stole her breath. “But why is it here? How did you find out about it?”

“I made it.”

She looked at him. “Really?”

“Yeah.”

“Oh,” she said, disappointed when she realized what was going on.

“What?”

“Let me guess. You bring all the ladies here.”

“Actually…” His flat smile was edged in disappointment. “You’re making assumptions again. But I guess I deserve my reputation.”

“It’s beautiful, really. But I think it’s time you brought me home.”

“You’re the first woman I’ve ever brought up here.”

“I find that hard to believe.”

“Because you don’t trust me yet.” He stepped closer to her. “This place is special to me. I would never bring anyone here Ididn’t think would appreciate it as much as I do. And I saw on your face that you do.”

His expression wasn’t just serious; it was searching and hoping. She could see it was important to him that she believed him but didn’t know why. “What makes it so special?”

“A friend of mine owns the building, and when I was going through a tough time, for whatever reason, I would come up here to think. Sometimes daily. He told me to do whatever I wanted with the space. I made it because it reminds me of where I grew up.”

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