I must have sat at the Lima Bean waiting for Sam for about… twenty minutes before I started getting pissed off- and another thirty before I decided to take my ass home. Lo and behold, just as I'm walking to my car, he's hopping out of his. I noticed him right away, but I pretended not to.

"'Cedes!" he called from across the parking lot.

I just shook my head and opened my car door. I was furious. A billion things ran through my head at that moment, but my main thought was "God, I'm so stupid for thinking we could actually work…"

"Mercedes! Babe!"

He had already caught up to me, and his hand held my wrist gently yet firmly. He'd sprinted to me. I could feel his pulse through his touch. The boy was panting.

"Almost an hour, Sam- I waited for you almost a damn hour-"

"I know, babe, I know, and I am so, so sorry…"

The look in his green eyes was pleading and sincere, but I was far from done being mad. I wanted a damn explanation, but I still waved him off.

"I don't wanna hear it."

"Mercedes…"

I stared back at the Lima Bean to avoid looking into his face too long. I knew it would make me forgive him too quickly.

"Can you tell me what the hell prevented you from texting me back, or returning my two calls, to tell me you'd be running late?"

"My phone service got cut off," he sighed, both shame and honesty apparent in his tone, "I had to help my parents out on cash, and I couldn't pay the bill…"

I instantly felt like the bitch of the century.

"Sam, I'm sorry…"

He took my hands in his.

"Don't worry about it. You didn't know."

I brushed his bangs out of his face, my tone softening as our gazes connected.

"Baby, you know I could loan you a little something-"

"No. No no no. No charity," he shook his head, his voice firm.

"It would be a loan and I'm your girlfriend. I know you'd do the same for me."

"I'll be fine, princess. I promise…"

Sam rested his forehead against mine, looking into my eyes to reassure me, although, it didn't do much. Still I relented.

"Okay, babe… If you're sure you'll be okay."

"I'm sure," he smiled, and kissed me softly.

I couldn't help but smile against his soft, full lips. I had already forgotten that I was ready to smack him ten seconds prior.

He pulled away and asked with a kiss on my forehead, "Do you want to just get our coffee to go? I got my guitar in the car, we can get a move on this rehearsal whenever you're ready."

I shook my head. I knew he'd try to pay for both our drinks, and I couldn't let him, after what he'd just told me. I didn't feel like having that argument again.

"Let's just skip the coffee and get to this song."

I smiled. I couldn't help but do that whenever he was around. Once, he kissed both my dimples and told me my smile was brighter than all the suns and moons of Tatooine. It was sweet, so I just went with it.

Sam followed me back to my place in his car. I missed having him close during the short ride. Though, the wave and wink he'd give me threw my rearview mirror at every few red lights made me giggle.

When we got to my place, and plopped down on the couch, I sighed, "Okay. Let's get to work."

Sam snickered as he removed his guitar from its case.

"I love your work-ethic, baby. Your determination is your sexiest feature…" he cooed with a wink.

I smirked, "My sexiest?"

He replied with a playful grin, "Okay, next to your ass…"

I swatted him on the arm, but couldn't hide my amusement as I laughed.

"You, boy, are a mess. A hot mess."

"Why, thank you, baby. You're pretty hot yourself."

"Work!" I laughed, nudging him.

He laughed down at his guitar.

"Okay, okay! I'm working on it, sheesh!"

I watched him tune it quickly and test the notes. As he perfected the sound of the strings, he spoke.

"You know, I've been practicing the riff at home. I think I got it pretty perfect… And if not…" he looked up at me with a smile, "then you'll just cover it up with your beautiful voice anyway."

I could feel the blood burning in my cheeks as I returned the smile.

"You're too sweet, Sam Evans…"

"I know," he smirked devilishly, "You should reward me by letting me touch your boobs."

"Boy, play the damn song."

With a grin, Sam began to pluck the familiar notes effortlessly. He sang in his soft, sweet voice.

"If death comes for me tonight, girl… I want you to know that I loved you… And no matter how tough, I wouldn't dare…Only to you I would reveal my tears…"

His green eyes flashed up at me occasionally as I watched and listened to him serenade me. I almost forgot to come in after the chorus, but I managed to slip in my verse in time.

"Sometimes it feels like I'm a prisoner… I think I'm trapped here for a while…"

As I looked into Sam's eyes, I drew on the feelings pounding in my heart for this man… Damn, if I thought I felt my music before… Nothing could compare to what it felt like singing to the one person who knew the depths of heart, and hearing him sing to me.

I crooned on, "…But every time I look into your eyes, then it's worth the sacrifice! Ooohhh mmmmm…" fighting the urge to lean over and kiss him.

He saved me with the bridge.

"If this is the kind of love that your momma used to warn you about, you're in trouble… You're in real big trouble…."

As we moved through the song, Sam's sincerity was written on his face. In his own way, he felt the lyrics just as much as I did. Though he didn't show it with crazy-difficult run-ons, he was consumed by it, too. For the very first time since we started dating, I didn't question if he'd leave me for someone thin and dainty, with whom he'd have Nordic-looking children. He loved me. He loved all of me. I could see it as he smiled at me.

"That sounded pretty awes-"

I silenced his tongue with mine as it slid down his throat. He shifted his guitar off of his lap, and pulled me to take its place.

He broke the kiss just long enough to ask, "Is this the part where we make out until your parents come home?"

"Yep."

"Okay, good."