Sam walked into the jazz bar promptly at 8pm. It was gonna be one hell of a night, he could already tell.
The double date tonight should be fun. He and Puckerman had been dating twins for the past few months. It was fun. It was easy. It was drama-free. That's what Sam needed these days. No need for a serious relationship, just fun.
The atmosphere was alive and buzzing. A little acid jazz played over the sound system as the lounge singer and his band were preparing for the next set.
"Reservations?" The Maître d' asked as soon as the foursome walked up to the podium.
"Yes, uh, under Sam Evans?" Sam was definitely feeling the mood tonight.
"Ah, yes! Right this way sir." As Sam and his friends were heading toward their table, a familiar laugh caught his attention. He turned to his right and saw – sitting in a booth about two tables to his right- Mercedes Jones. Wow. There was a sight he hadn't seen in at least a year.
Well damn, Sam would have left his date at home if he'd have known he'd run into one Miss Mercedes Jones.
"Sam? Sam!" Sam's Date, snapped her fingers in front of him a few times before he was finally lured back to reality.
Once he came to, he noticed everyone had already been seated and looking at the menu. Sam slowly took his seat, not really lifting his eyes from Mercedes. Puck leaned over and asked "Hey, isn't that…?"
Sam huffed out a 'Yeah'. At that moment, as if she could sense what was happening a few feet away, Mercedes looked up and caught Sam's gaze. Damn.
Time pretty much stood still at this point.
"Okay, am I missing the punch line here?" Sam's date rolled her eyes. A gesture Sam didn't even notice.
Sam did little to even pretend to care about his date at this point. Mercedes was seemingly caught off guard sitting in the booth with her new… boyfriend? Nope, definitely fiancé. He could see the little something sparkling on the appropriate hand and finger.
Mercedes turned back to her date and pretended to laugh at whatever mind numbingly ridiculous story he was sure to be telling. Sam scoffed under his breath. Who was this dude? Yeah, yeah, so what if he was some- probably 6'2", deep dimples, model looking dude? He definitely couldn't put it down and make Mercy scream the way Sam always could. He was sure of that. Sam brought himself back to the conversation at his own table. He knew that his date would be getting suspicious if he didn't pay her at least a bit of attention. He liked to keep this- whatever they had- drama free. Simple.
Half way through dinner, a familiar tune from the band stopped Sam dead in his tracks.
"So… I am gonna change it up a bit for you guys tonight. It's a classic and a favorite of mine. Hope you guys like my rendition on this MJ classic… Here is 'Human Nature'."
As the opening notes began to play, Sam looked up and directly into Mercedes gaze. Mercedes blushed and smiled into her glass of wine.
A thousand memories floated back to Sam's consciousness. Memories of the 2 years they were together. Late nights. Early mornings. Meeting her family. Her meeting his. Bonding over good music and great wine. Sitting on her living room floor for hours playing vinyl records and discussing…life. 'Human Nature' was significant. Sam finally made it up to Mercedes apartment after date number 4, and they talked about Michael all night. 'Human Nature' was playing when they first kissed. 'Lady of My Life' played as they moved toward the bedroom.
At that moment, Sam saw Mercedes grab her jack and head toward the valet stand outside.
"Check Please!" Sam flagged down the waiter.
"Dude. We barely finished dinner. What are you doing?" Puck gave him a confused glare.
"Yeah, I uh, I'm not feeling too good so, I think I need to leave. You guys take care of the check?" Sam pulled out his wallet and placed his credit card on the table.
"Dinner is on me. Sorry guys." Sam raced toward the valet stand. Almost tripping over his feet to catch up to her.
"You seem happy." Sam eased up behind Mercedes in the valet line. He had to say something to Mercedes before her car came around.
"I am. Engaged. 6 months." Mercedes turned toward Sam. Her expression unreadable.
"Ya know, I would have left my date at home had I known you'd be here tonight."
"Sam. Don't. Please." Mercedes had a pleading tone to her voice. It was as if Sam could say just the right thing to make her forget her Fiancé was on the other side of the restaurant door.
"Well, all I have to say is, I know how much of an… appetite you have. I hope he fulfills all your needs, Mercy." Sam gave that lopsided grin. Hoping it would make her swoon like it used to.
"Sam. You know why we are where we are. If my man even sees us out here talking, he will have questions. And that's a conversation I don't know if I'm ready to have." Mercedes turned back toward the curb, looking for the valet to bring her car around.
"I'm just talking reckless Mercy. You know how my ego can get the best of me. Especially when I run into the love of my life engaged to someone else."
Mercedes stopped breathing in that moment. She quickly turned around and let out a short gasp.
"Hey babe- everything okay?" Mercedes' fiancé stepped outside of the restaurant door and gave Sam a sideways glance.
"Yeah baby. No problem. Just waiting on the valet." Mercedes exhaled.
Sam knew when to step back. And he did just that. He had to try though. Anytime he ran into Mercedes, he'd have to try. He wouldn't give a damn about who she was seeing, he knew what they would always have.
Right then, the valet pulled around with Mercedes' S500. Sam mind drifted to memories of the things they did in that car.
He watched as Mercedes and her fiancé got into the car and pulled off. At that moment, Puck and the twins joined him outside.
"Who was that?" Sam's date snarled.
"A friend." Sam murmured. Not even looking in his date's direction, but rather still looking after the car that had long since driven away.
Just then Puck stepped up and whispered in Sam's ear "And here I thought time healed all wounds. She ripped that one wide open, huh?"
At that moment, Sam's phone buzzed in his pocket, pulling him out of his thoughts. The text was from a familiar number.
Mercy: Too bad we didn't fall in love at the same time…