“I’m not going to do that.” Samson rolled his eyes.
April wrapped Lana up in a hug and patted her back. Lana eventually heaved a sigh and let her go.
“Well, at least you look bomb in that outfit. Where is he taking you?” Lana eyed Samson.
“We’re starting at the Museum of Fine Arts,” Samson said. “Then I’ll be taking her to dinner.”
“Nerds,” Lana declared. She dropped into a chair and grabbed the remote. “Don’t be out too late. Or do, but don’t get caught in traffic.”
“We won’t.” Samson went over to her and mussed her hair.
“I hate you.”
“I hate you too, sis.”
April took his arm again and felt her chest expanding with affection.
Chapter Ten
Exploring Houston didn’t make Samson like it that much more. There were plenty of good restaurants, but the rest was endless miles of patched concrete, palm trees, and humidity. Their explorations did, however, make him like April more with each passing day. This woman had the capacity to talk to anyone, roll with any situation. She could mend a button while he was driving, change a tire, and beat him at bowling. Her temper was short at times, but in truly difficult situations—which included a driver cutting them off, stopping in front of them, and then getting out of the car to scream at them—she was unflappable.
Samson had moved beyond attraction, beyond intrigue, and into being afraid that she might realize she was more than he could handle and leave. He wasn’t sure where that kind of feeling came from. He never worried about a woman leaving him before. He mostly worried that they wouldn’t leave, and he’d have to ask them to do so.
When April didn’t spend the night, though, he fretted. When she was too busy to go out, he felt like she might have tired of him. He loved most of the feelings he had when he was with her, but he loathed the feelings he subjected himself to when she wasn’t there. He was actually annoying himself.
Since April had taken the lead so far in their relationship, Samson remained content to leave the direction of their affair in her hands. She said that she was okay just having fun, but a month and a half into their relationship, which was still secret around the office, and he was no surer of where he stood. He had to cement her feelings for him somehow.
To that end, Samson went back to the beginning: an architectural tour of the city. She clearly enjoyed it, and Samson appreciated getting to spend the day with her wearing her short-shorts and a tank top that didn’t exactly cover much on top. In practice, though, the tour did not put April in a very romantic mood. She spent more time taking notes and sketching than looking into his eyes.
“How would you like to take a trip?” Samson suggested over a light dinner. Normally, he would have only taken her to upscale restaurants, but she hadn’t seemed too enthusiastic about going back to change and then heading out on the town again. They were sitting outside on the patio of a place called Empire Cafe, sipping water and waiting for pasta to arrive.
“Are you acquiring another business?”
“No, I mean just for the weekend. Take some time together.”
“We’re together now.” Her eyes twinkled with teasing. “I know what you mean. Maybe in a little while? I’ve been feeling kind of run down lately.”
“Oh?” He took her hand and rubbed the back of it with his thumb. “How so?”
“It’s not a big thing. It’s just an accumulation of stresses. Getting more sleep should help.” April shrugged. “Where were you thinking of going? Or did you want it to be a surprise?”
“I was thinking of visiting San Antonio for the River Walk.” Samson nodded to the waiter as he brought their dinners by. “Or New Orleans. They have both architecture and a great night life.”
“Oohh. New Orleans, please.”
“Excellent. When you’re feeling up to it, we can go.” He squeezed her fingers and then let go of her hand so that she could eat. She seemed to have lost a bit of weight recently, and he was fond of her figure just as it was. “What is it that’s causing you so much stress?”
April looked down at her creamy pecan and sundried tomato sauce over linguini and sautéed shrimp. Her forehead was lined, and her voice sounded a bit weary as she explained the situation with her former apartment. He’d heard a bit of the problem from Lana before he hired April, but he hadn’t realized it was a continuing issue.
“I can fight it. I mean, I think I can. But I’m not sure I want to. Financially, it might work out the same if I just give them the money, rather than hire a lawyer, which will cost more,” April explained.