"Do you love Rachel?"

"Yes."

Mercedes stifled her tears. She had found a vacant spot in an empty corridor. There was no chairs so she sat on a table.

She wiped her tears with her right hand. She was a blubbering mess. She wanted to forget that she had ever loved Sam Evans.

She hiccupped. When she had danced with Sam the urge to kiss him had been so strong. She had wanted to grab his head and crush her lips unto his and kiss him senseless. Just to see if he was still in her as she was into him.

"Do you love Rachel?"

"Yes."

The pain of hearing that come out of his own mouth had been so excruciating. She'd tried to hold back her tears, but they had flown effortlessly for him to see. It had been so humiliating. She had wanted to crawl out of her own skin.

"Do you love Rachel?"

"Yes."

Dammit! Those words kept coming back to her. Hurting her and slicing into her heart deeply.

"Mercedes?"

She looked up and saw Jesse coming towards her. Oh shit. She didn't want him to see her like this.

"Hi," she said cracking a smile. "I was just-"

"Here." He handed her his silver handkerchief. It had the letters S.J etched unto the soft silk. Mercedes stared it wordlessly not taking it. Her eyes brimmed with tears. Jesse cupped her face in his hand and dabbed at her eyes with the other.

"Thank you," she murmured hiccupping.

"No problem" Jesse stored the handkerchief back in his pocket. He waited for her to speak.

"Sam told me loved-" her voice cracked.

Jesse took her hand in his. "You don't have to tell me."

Mercedes shook her head. She had to get this out of her head. "I had asked him if he still loved me and… he said he didn't know." Hearing that had been a blow. She swallowed the hard lump in her throat. "When I asked if he loved Rachel he said…. he said…" she trailed off still shocked he had said those words. " He said yes with no hesitation just like that."

She let out a weak sob and Jesse pulled her into his arms. Mercedes took a deep breath. The smell of Jesse's cologne soothed her senses.

"Mercedes I'm so sorry, but you're going to be okay." He gave her a small kiss on the forehead. Something he had never done before. "You're a strong woman."

Mercedes let go of him not feeling strong at all. "That's sweet of you to say that but I will never get over him." She had tried. She had given her heart to Sam and would never get it back. His cute smiling face invaded her mind. The image of him smiling down at Rachel made her want to throw up.

"You can get over him. Just like I got over Rachel."

Mercedes was speechless. "Say what now?"

Jesse sighed and waved a dismissive hand. "Rachel and I had a thing going on back in New York."

Mercedes was bowled over. "How come I didn't know about this?"

Jesse looked disinterested in discussing the matter. "We just wanted to keep it between us. She wanted to take it slow. Besides I couldn't stand you remember." He gave her a small smile.

"So what happened?" Mercedes asked eagerly in order to forget about her own misery.

"What happened was she ditched me." She saw the brief flash of anger cross his face. "She didn't give me a warning. She just left." He paused for a few seconds. "I couldn't get in touch with her for months and then I found out she was in Lima." His voice became cold. "Imagine my surprise when I found out she was dating that thing."

He pursed his lips together. " No offense. "

Mercedes said nothing.

Jesse played with a loose curl of her hair. " I got over it and I got over her. " He placed his right hand on her thigh near the hem of her dress. " Just like you're going to get over Sam."

Mercedes sighed. " I don't know if I can."

Jesse smirked. " Yes you can. You can kiss me."

Mercedes froze. Jesse was looking at her with something akin to desire.

" Um... what?"

" You heard me. " He said leaning his head against hers. Mercedes could smell his peppermint breath. She just stared at his lips. " Kiss me."

" Jesse I don't think that's a good idea, "she shuddered as she felt his hand graze the side of her leg. His thumb made circular motions on her skin. He made a move to kiss her lips but Mercedes turned her head so Jesse slowly ran his lips over her neck. " You sure about that?"

Mercedes shivered at his touch. " Y-yes. I'm still in love with Sam."

" Mercedes, "Jesse grabbed her chin gently." Do I honestly look like I give a damn?"