AN: Thanks so much for all the positive feedback! Crazyhead36, I'm glad you caught the Antoine Dodson and Beyoncé references. I like to stick random things in my stories, and it tickles me when people notice them. The restaurants listed are all real, and very much delicious! (Okay, so I've never been to Tio Pepe's. Who was that kind of money?)

AN2: For the readers, my most sincere apologies for the lateness of this chapter. I miscarried, so I've been in and out of the hospital. But hopefully things will be back on track now.

Chapter 2

Saturdays were Mercedes' clean the house and errand running days. Since The MJ and S. Lo Show had become nationally syndicated, their free time during the week was close to nil. That's why Mercedes lingered in bed for a few hours after she woke, enjoying being able to stretch out in her bed without being mindful of bumping into Terrell. When she finally did roll out of bed, it was with a vengeance. She dressed in her favorite sweats and t-shirt before giving her house a good scrub down. Mama Jones had taught her that cleanliness was next to Godliness, and she followed that rule faithfully. After she was done, she texted Santana and Brittany and asked them to meet her at their favorite lunch spot, Miss Shirley's. She showered and dressed in a pair of black skinny jeans, red and white polka dot sandals and a matching halter before heading out to the Inner Harbor.

Brittany was already seated at their favorite table when she arrived, dressed casually in a cute pageboy hat, denim shorts and a dark blue tank top. She waved enthusiastically. "Hey Sadie!"

Mercedes leaned down to kiss Brittany's cheek. "Hey Brit-Brat. Where's San?"

"On her way. She had a late start to the day." Brittany giggled.

"Not surprised. Did she give you any details?"

Brittany shook her head and leaned in towards Mercedes conspiratorially. "No, but I did hear a male voice in the background when I called."

Mercedes quirked an eyebrow. "Oh really? Well, I assume she and Finn hit it off."

Brittany winked. "Oh, he hit something all right."

Mercedes snorted, just as the waiter came up to take her drink order. She ordered an iced tea and a glass of water. The waiter sped off, just as Santana walked up, clad in a blue sundress. She sat down gingerly, wincing as her bottom made contact with the seat. Brittany and Mercedes exchanged looks before cracking up.

"That good, huh?" Brittany asked through her giggles.

Santana managed a smug smile. "Why do you think I'm here so late?"

"So, are you gonna keep this one around?" Mercedes inquired, accepting the iced tea the waiter sat in front of her and handing the water to Santana.

Santana gave her a sharp nod, just as the waiter asked for their orders. They placed their orders and waited for the waiter to leave before continuing their conversation. "Oh, definitely. He wants to take me out to dinner tonight."

"Where?"

Santana looked positively smug. "Tio Pepe's."

Brittany and Mercedes looked shocked. "He's taking you there for a first date? What kind of spell did you put on him?" Mercedes asked.

"I have a magic pussy," Santana said with a shrug. Brittany choked on her Shirley Temple. Santana patted the blonde on the back gently, waiting for her to recover.

"Apparently. So, do you know anything about him at all?"

"Well, he owns his own auto repair shop, he's originally from Hagerstown and..." Santana leaned forward. "He's Kurt's stepbrother."

Mercedes quirked an eyebrow. "Wait...our Kurt?"

Santana nodded. "Small world, huh?"

"Did he mention anything about his friends?"

"A little. Artie is a computer programmer, and Sam runs a small construction company."

"Excuse me. Who ordered the portobello sandwich?" Brittany raised her hand. "The Alonsoville?"

"Me!" Santana spoke up.

"That leaves the gumbo for you, miss. Do you need anything else?" The waiter asked, setting down a bowl of gumbo.

"No, we're good. Thanks." The three women were content to apply themselves to steady eating, at least until Brittany's phone chimed. She read the text message she had received, and a smile spread across her face.

Santana and Mercedes were staring at her expectantly. "Well? You're smiling like you just won the lottery."

Brittany rolled her eyes. "Don't be silly, San. I don't buy lottery tickets."

Santana rolled her eyes heavenward. "Okay, was that Artie or not?"

"It was." Brittany took a bite of her sandwich.

Mercedes held her hands out in a pleading gesture. "Well?"

"Well what?" Brittany responded.

"What did he say?" Santana asked.

"Just wanted to say hi and make sure I had his number."

Santana shook her head despairingly. "You guys are like Puritans or something."

"Just because we don't throw our goods from the free throw line?" Mercedes asked, smirking.

Santana gave her a Look. "Bitch."

"Learned it from you."

"At least you learned from the best," Santana said haughtily.

"What about you, Mercy? Has your new friend contacted you yet?" Brittany asked.

Mercedes shook her head. "Nah, but I'm not too worried about it. If he calls, he calls. If he doesn't, well, on to the next one!"

Santana slapped her five. "That's my girl!"

Brittany frowned. "It would suck though. He was really hot."

Mercedes shrugged. "Oh well. Can't win them all!"

"So, what are you guys doing today?" Santana asked.

"Laying around at home. While I'm here though, I want to stop by the Galleria and check out the Fall line for Coach. It should be coming out soon."

Santana rolled her eyes. "Purse whore."

"Says the girl with the shoe fetish," Brittany quipped.

"Et tu, Brittany?" Santana said, giving the blonde her best puppy eyes.

Brittany held up her hand. "Check please!" The trio burst into laughter. They laughed even harder when the bemused waiter brought their check.

"So, Brit-brat, what are you doing today?" Mercedes snagged the check before the other two could. "I invited, my treat."

Brittany shrugged. "No clue. I might head back home and stake out in front of the TV..."

"Or you could call Artie and see if he's available tonight?" Santana suggested.

Brittany nibbled on her lower lip thoughtfully. "Do you think it's too soon?"

Mercedes shrugged. "He did text you a day later with his phone number. He's obviously interested. Just text him today and get to know him a little better."

"That's not a bad idea..." Brittany said, gathering her purse. The three women left the restaurant and stood just outside of the doors. "I'll text him when I get home."

"We'll want details later," Santana warned, stepping forward to kiss Brittany's cheek.

"So will me and Mercy," Brittany returned. She and Mercedes exchanged kisses, then Mercedes and Santana before they went their separate ways. True to her word, Mercedes leisurely made her way to the Galleria, where she made a beeline for the Coach store. The Fall line was indeed in, and Mercedes carefully pored over the newest purses before leaving with an elegant plum and silver hobo bag and matching wallet. She had stopped to peer into Victoria's Secret when she heard an only vaguely familiar voice call her name.

"Mercedes?"

She jumped, turning quickly. Seeing the green eyes and blonde hair of her new 'friend' she smiled. "Hi Sam."

Sam had a bag from Gamestop swinging from one hand. "What brings you out today?" He asked, giving her a big smile.

Mercedes shrugged. "I have a purse fetish. You?"

"Mortal Kombat junkie."

Mercedes giggled. "You'll really like that. It's my new favorite game."

Sam arched an eyebrow. "You play?"

She nodded. "Yeah, it's my favorite way to unwind after a long day at work."

"Cool. So, do you have anywhere you need to be right now?"

"No."

"Want to walk around with me? Or maybe grab a bite?"

"I just ate lunch, but I wouldn't mind a walk. Where to?"

"Just around the harbor. I don't get to come out here that often."

Mercedes gave him a brilliant smile. "I'd love to."

The air was warm, but a soft breeze blew in from the bay. Tons of people were out enjoying the weather, and Sam and Mercedes meandered among them, getting to know each other.

"So, where are you from originally?" Sam asked.

"Pottstown, Pennsylvania. You?"

"Hagerstown."

"Really? One of my coworkers is from there; maybe you know him. Kurt Hummel-Anderson?"

Sam's eyes lit up. "Yeah, I do! He's my best friend's stepbrother. You work at the radio station? What do you do?"

"I don't know if you've ever listened to the MJ and S. Lo show, but I'm MJ."

Sam's eyes widened. "Really? You don't sound at all like you do on the radio."

Mercedes chuckled. "That's because I'm not yelling at my co-host. You met her too. Santana?"

"Oh wow, that is so cool. I feel like I should ask for your autograph."

Mercedes threw her head back and laughed. "Really? I take it you're a fan?"

"I keep the radio in my office turned to it all the time. You guys are really funny and relevant."

"Thanks! So, what about you? What do you do?"

"I own a construction company here in the city."

Mercedes arched an eyebrow. "Wow, that's pretty impressive."

Sam shrugged modestly. "Not really, we're still kind of small. Word of mouth is starting to spread though."

"You should think about doing some commercials. Radio is a great way to get the word out."

"I hadn't thought about radio. I did think about a couple TV spots."

"Just consider it. I'm sure our station would pick it up. We like showcasing local businesses."

"I'll definitely do that." Sam looked out into the distance. "So, is this a first date, or should I start planning that now?"

Mercedes quirked an eyebrow. "It could be, but there's not much to it."

Sam tapped his chin thoughtfully. "True...so, what are you doing next Saturday?"

"No plans yet."

"Okay, well, I'd like to take you out. But, I'm not going to tell you what we're doing."

"Pretty forward for a first date," Mercedes teased.

Sam shrugged. "I get a little creative when I want to impress beautiful women. This way I've got the day reserved in your busy schedule, and I have a whole week to come up with something spectacular for us to do."

"This should be interesting." She looked out towards the harbor, noticing that the sun was beginning to set. "How long have we been out here?"

Sam glanced at his phone. "Oh, maybe four hours? How about dinner?"

"Sounds like a plan. Where?"

"Depends on what you're in the mood for. Italian? Seafood? Mexican?"

"Hm...How about seafood?"

Sam grinned. "Read my mind. Phillip's?"

"Definitely."

Sam extended his arm. "Shall we?"

(Meanwhile, across town...)

"Wow. Santana, you look...amazing."

Santana smoothed down the front of her scarlet dress as she sat down. "Thank you. You don't look too bad yourself."

Finn adjusted his tie self-consciously. "Thanks. So, have you been here before?"

"Once or twice. You?"

"My mom loves it. I take her and my stepfather on special occasions."

"That's sweet of you. Are you close?" Santana crossed her legs and leaned forward attentively.

"Very. Pop Burt married my mom in my junior year of high school, so we're all pretty close."

Santana nodded. "So, how old are you?"

"Twenty-seven. You?"

"The same."

"So, what about your family? Are you close?"

"Fairly. My family lives in Brooklyn. It's my mom and dad and I have an older brother who lives in Boston."

Finn nodded. "So, how did you meet Mercedes?"

"We went to college together. We both majored in radio communication and we discovered we had a natural rapport. We submitted our audition tape for 92Q and the rest is pretty much history." Santana looked up with a start as a waitress approached. They ordered their meal and some wine before continuing their conversation. Santana smirked. "So, do you do this often?"

"Do what?"

"Have great sex with a girl you don't know and take her to an expensive restaurant afterward?"

Finn blushed. "This is the first time. What about you?" He asked shyly.

"Honestly? Not since college."

"So...why me?"

Santana shrugged. "I could ask you the same thing." She leaned forward and ran her fingertips over his wrist gently. "Let's not worry about it."

Finn surprised himself by capturing her hand and bringing it to his lips. "I agree."