Disclaimer: I own nothing but the mistakes as always. Thank you for reading, reviewing, and/or following and favoriting this story. I am trying to make Sam worthy of love, but it is a hard job LOL

Chapter 15

Mercedes

Sam: Good morning, beautiful.

When I turned over and checked my phone the next morning that was the first thing I saw. Memories of the other night and yesterday's conversation came flooding back to me. My date with Matt, seeing Sam, then seeing Sam again the next day.

I told him I needed more time, but I didn't want to be a total jerk and live him on read either, so I typed out a quick response.

Me: Good morning.

Before I was able to set the phone back down on my bedside table it was buzzing in my hand. Sam's name flashed across the screen. Why the heck was he calling? I sat up in bed looking around the empty room like it would give me an answer. I scooted back against the headboard and stared at the phone for another second before I decided to answer.

"Hello?" My deep morning voice croaked through the phone. There maybe he'd think I was a man?

"Cedes, did you just wake up?"

Seeing as I hadn't fooled him with my sleep infused voice, I took a moment to clear my throat before responding.

"Maybe."

"Are you all snuggled up in bed with all your covers? I miss waking up to you like that." His voice was low and gravely. I could hear the need in it.

"Sam, why did you call me?" I did not have time for this. Did he think I had forgiven and forgotten and that is why I tested him back and answered his call. If so, he was in for a rude awakening.

He sighed on the other end of the line. I just listened to him breathing.

"I wanted to see if you're free around ten-thirty today."

I moved the phone from my face to see what time it was. The display said 7:53.

"For what?"

"I had some things planned that I thought could be fun for us to do today."

I didn't say anything. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. I didn't have plans. I was going to lounge around. Maybe hang with Tina later.

"Look, I know you said you needed time. We can just hang out as friends, no expectations."

I got out from the comfort of my bed and went to the window. The streets were pretty quiet on this Sunday morning. Only people who were going to church or Walmart were out and about.

"What should I wear?"

At ten-thirty sharp there were three rapid knocks at my door. I gave myself one more once over in the mirror to make sure my outfit looked ok. He said to dress casually. I'd opted for a pair of denim shorts, black-and-white striped shirt, and a pair of black tennis shoes.

There was another knock on the door. I grabbed my purse off of the couch and went to open it.. My stomach got those stupid little flutters. Sam was standing there in khaki shorts and a purple polo that looked great against his skin. All shades of purple were my favorite colors. I had no doubt he wore the shirt for my benefit.

"You look great," he said leaning in for a hug. I was happy that he didn't try to kiss me. Not even a little peck. He had said he would respect my wishes, and this would be more of a friend's outing, and I doubted my sanity for caving in and going with him, but I knew that I was not ready for any type of romantic relationship with him, but I could try to see if it was possible if we could be friends.

"Thank you."

I closed and locked my front door. We walked in silence to his car. His hand rested lightly on my lower back guiding me as if I didn't know where his car was located. He wasn't slick. As always he opened my door for me and made sure I was secured in before he shut it. He rounded the car and slid into the driver seat.

"So, what are we doing?"

He glanced at me briefly before facing back to the road. A small smile gracing his face.

"Don't you want to be surprised?"

I laid my head back on the head rest and rolled my face toward him.

"Eh, surprises are overrated."

"We're going to the state park. I thought we could bike around some trails and do some paddle boating."

I was a little worried because I hadn't been exercising like I had been and was starting to get out of shape.

"I better warn you that the bike ride may be slower than you are used to, and you will be doing the majority of the paddling."

"You'll be fine. We aren't doing anything crazy. We'll stick to the simple trails."

When we reached the park Sam paid for our entrance fee. He found a parking spot that had some shade from a tree and hopped out. He opened my door and helped me out and then pulled a backpack from his trunk.

He walked back to where I was standing with the backpack secured on his back. He smiled down at me with his adorable grin. Letting my guard down I smiled back.

Sam led me to the bike rental stand. We picked our bikes, and he paid the attendant. After getting settled on our bikes we started down a trail close to where we parked. The path was surrounded by plush green trees that towered high above us. There were splashes of greens, yellow, and purple all around from wild flowers and other wild growth. My eyes scanned around trying to take in all the beauty surrounding us.

As we rode side by side, Sam told me little facts about different plants, animals, and the park. He had a lot of knowledge about all things nature. We'd been riding about a half an hour when we stopped at a little clearing. There was a bench that overlooked a lake. The view was breathtaking. I pulled out my phone to take a picture.

"Here," Sam held his hand out for my phone. "I'll take a picture of you in front of it."

I handed over the phone and posed for the picture.

"That came out great," he said as he walked closer to where I stood. I held my hand out for the phone but he ignored me.

"I want to take a picture of us with the lake as the background."

I rolled my eyes at him but it didn't deter him.

"Say cheese," he said. I didn't, but I did smile at the camera as he clicked the button to capture the picture.

"Okay, one more just in case the first one didn't turn out."

I didn't protest considering I sometimes took twenty or more selfies until I found one I liked.

"Ready...one, two, three." He said while sneaking his arm around me and pressing his face close to mine.

"Perfect," he said smiling.

"What they hell, Sam?"

"What?" His voice sounded innocent. The smirk on his face said he was anything but.

I couldn't help but laugh.

"You know what," I said poking him in the side.

He wrapped his other arm around me pulling me into a full embrace. His eyes dropped to meet mine. They were full of heat turning from a soft green to a darker hue which I knew from experience what he wanted next and that was me.

"I couldn't help myself." He said still holding my gaze.

My hands moved up and were rested on his chest. If I wasn't careful, I'd be pulling him down into a full on mouth to mouth kissing session. I was being an idiot. I would not let him weasel his way back into my affections so easily.

"What about just hanging out as friends?"

He smiled wider while his hands moved slowly up and down my sides.

"I tried but we both know that we aren't just friends. We've always been more than friends. Even when we first met I knew you were more to me."

I removed my hands from his chest and started to step back. He released me allowing me to put some distance between us.

"We'd better get back to it," I said heading back to my bike. Sam Evans must have found Stace's hidden stash and taken a hit of something if he thought I was going to be easily manipulated and won over by his charm and words. I was a woman of my word, and all I wanted with him was to see if it were possible to be friends again. Nothing more and nothing less. I was firm and resolute. My tone displayed this as well as my body language.

"Yeah, we're getting close to the paddle boats, anyway."

His voice lost some of its enthusiasm from just a moment before. We didn't talk again until we reached the paddle boats. I could tell Sam had been in deep thought as we rode. I wanted to know what was going on in his head. Was he plotting his next move or thinking of how to end the trip early? Yes, I was still upset, angry, and disappointed with him. But at the same time, my heart wasn't ready to loosen it's grip on my love for him.

"Have you ever been on a paddle boat before?" He asked, interrupting my thoughts.

"Nope, this will be my first time."

"You're going to love it." His smile returned to his face as he took my hand and led me to our boat.

He helped me secure my life jacket and get onto the boat. Being in the middle of the water was refreshing. It was calming seeing water stretched out all around us and past that nothing but trees and stepmother nature. I loved living in our city, but there was nothing like the beauty of the country. We talked about everything and nothing at all as we peddled our way around the lake.

We were on the lake for about an hour when we decided we were both hungry. We returned the boat to the check in area and biked back to Sam's car. Sam's coworkers told him about a place that served all locally raised and grown organic food. We decided to stop there for a late lunch before heading back home.

"Mercedes, wake up you're home."

My eyes opened a crack before closing again. The sun was too bright. I tried again and managed to keep them open this time. I stretched my arms and legs out as best as I could while letting out a long groan. I turned my head and Sam's intense gaze bore into me. I flashed him a sheepish smile and shrugged my shoulders.

"Sorry, I'm worn out."

"Don't apologize. I just hope that you had a good time."

"I did."

Sam walked me to my door. I unlocked it and turned to say bye. When I did, his hands were on either side of the door frame caging me between him and the door. He leaned down and my hand went automatically up smashing his face before he could lean down and kiss me.

His lips were soft and warm on my hands. He looked at me like a child who was told there was no Santa Claus.

"I know I deserve that. I promise not to encroach on you and your space. You didn't have to go out with me today, and I appreciate you for just being you. I am sorry, and even though more than anything I want to come inside with you right now, I know that's not an option. Not yet, anyway or not ever. I know I still have a way to go and a lot to prove, but I hope today was a good start. I've missed spending time with you. Just being in your presence has made me happier than I've been in a while."

"It was a really good day minus your touchiness. Next time kept those big man paws to yourself and those lips as well," I said realizing that I probably was giving him mixed signals. Either we were friends or lovers. I couldn't blur the lines with him. If I wasn't strong enough, then I didn't need to go out with him at all.

"I love you, Mercedes. I'll call you before bed."

With one last wave to me he was gone.

Sam called that night as promised. He also called every night for the next few weeks. He made playlists for me with one reoccurring song the Temptations, "Ain't Too Proud To Beg". The first playlist included, The Jackson Five's "I Want You Back", 'NYNC's "I Want You Back", "Reunited" by Peaches and Herb, "I Won't Give Up by Jason Mraz, and it ended with Justin Bieber's "Sorry." The crazy man even learned how to play the songs with his guitar and did a video with him singing each song to me. He did this for five playlists. I was an idiot to listen to every song and watch every video. I had to admit he was softening my heart which was easy to do because I hadn't heard from Matt since our date, and honestly, I wasn't expecting to hear from him again. It was probably for the best. I didn't think my head could deal with both Sam and Matt.

It had been a month and several days since I allowed Sam back into my life as a friend, and Sam and I continued to platonically see each other several times. He'd come over and go on evening walks with me. Sometimes we'd watch television. while he massaged my feet and catered to me. He would cook for me. Help clean my place. He would wash and vacuum my car. He made sure my fluid levels in my car were okay as well. We didn't kiss, but there was some hand holding and hugging. Most of it was innocent. I knew he was trying to give me time. I appreciated that because my head was still a little jumbled and unsure. I still was not ready to trust him.

We didn't talk about Stace, but he did take me to see Uncle Dwight once. We took him dinner and sat with him to watch some of his shows. I could tell the old man enjoyed our company. He jokingly told Sam that I was his favorite of all his nieces and nephews. I vowed to still visit him even if things didn't work out with me and Sam. I could bring him over a hot dinner every once in a while.

One day we were out walking and the sun was just beginning to set. Sam grabbed my hand and squeezed.

"I have something I want to ask you."

"Ok,"

"The gym is celebrating their ten-year anniversary and they're having a ball. I was hoping that you would be my date."

He'd stopped so I followed suit. I studied his face. He looked solemn, but his eyes were hopeful. His eyes moved to the ground. I could tell that he already felt defeated. My instinct was to say no, but what could it hurt. We'd been working on communication and spending more and more time together. Aside from the occasional attempt at kissing me, he'd kept to his word of trying to move forward as friends only.

"When is it?"

He looked up from the ground. He gave me the most genuine smile I'd see from him in a while.

"It's next Saturday."

"Alright, I'll go."

"You will?" His eyes were bright, and that smile got even bigger.

I nodded my head in confirmation. Before I knew what was happening, he had my body in a tight embrace and my feet were several inches off of the ground. My hands went to his shoulders. He placed several light kisses on my forehead and cheeks.

"I was so nervous to ask you. I felt like a sixteen-year-old boy asking the most beautiful girl in the whole school to prom."

I laughed at that. "I'm far from the most beautiful girl, buddy of mine."

He placed me back on the ground but still held me in his arms. His eyes were locked on mine.

"That is not true, you're externally beautiful, but your inner beauty is so much more than anyone's I have ever met before. You are an amazing person. You are too good and that intimidates the hell out of me knowing I don't deserve you or your forgiveness."

I removed my hands from his shoulders. "We better get back. I have to work in the morning."

"Yeah, ok," he said, releasing me from his hold. We walked back to my place in silence.

I called Tina that night and let her know about the ball. She insisted that we had to go and shop for a gown for me and not some fancy dress. I wasn't particularly happy about buying a gown and tried to persuade her into agreeing that I had something in my closet that would do the trick. She wasn't buying it, and gave me the time and location to meet for our shopping extravaganza.

Since we had such a short time frame to get our shopping done between work and life, we decided to take a half day at our jobs the Friday before the ball. Tina insisted the short time frame would force me to choose something. She said otherwise I'd be too wishy-washy. Dang her for knowing me so well.

We went to several big name department stores with no luck before trying a local boutique that a friend from Tina's job told her about. They specialized in plus-size clothing and according to her co-worker the women that worked there really had great eyes for fashion.

"Hi ladies, welcome to Sheila's Finery. I am Sheila. Is there anything I can help you find?"

The woman that greeted us looked a lot like me. Her body was full-figured much like my own. Her smile was kind and inviting. I immediately felt at ease with her.

"I need a dress."

"You've stopped at the right place then. What's the occasion?"

"It's a ball, so I guess I'm looking for something more formal."

The other woman clapped her hands together and smiled at me like I'd just told her she won the lottery.

"Awesome, formal gowns are some of my favorite things to shop for. We just got a few new ones in this week. Do you have a particular style or color you're looking for?"

"No, I just want something that I'm comfortable in."

Tina, my oh so helpful best friend piped in. "She needs something that shows off the twins. Maybe something that also hugs her amazing booty as well. She has a man that needs to know how good he could have it, so he won't do anything foolish to lose her."

I shot Tina a glare, but she just smiled at Sheila.

"Oh yay, I'm excited. I have a few gowns that I think will look wonderful on you. That man will have heart palpitations when he sees you by the time we're done."

The store owner brought out five formal dresses for me to start out with. The first two were absolute nos. I looked like a sack of potatoes in the first one. The second one was too tight for my comfort although Tina argued that it was perfect.

"Try the purple one on next. I've always thought you looked great in purple, and it is your favorite color."

I looked at the dress Tina wanted me to try on. It didn't look like it would fit. I was sure that it would be too tight and my boobs would be spilling over. She wouldn't shut-up unless I tried it on, so I hauled it into the dressing room, set on getting it over with quickly.

I pulled the dress up over my hips and slid the straps over my arms. I reached back and zipped it as much as I could but I needed help to get it the rest of the way. I looked at my reflection in the mirror before exiting the fitting room. I was shocked by what I saw. The deep purple was fitting for my skin tone. The straps were gold and went up and around my neck and criss crossed in the back. The back of the dress dipped to mid back exposing a portion of my upper back.

"What's taking so long," Tina said from the other side of the curtain. Before I could answer she pulled back the curtain and appeared behind me in the small fitting room.

"Cede, that is the dress. You look beautiful."

"You think so?"

"Girl, I know so. Sam is going to want to jump your bones as soon as you open the door."

We exited the dressing room to see what Sheila thought of the dress.

"You look lovely. I think Tina is right, this is the dress. Hold on just a second."

I twirled in the mirror trying to see the dress from all angles. In just a few minutes Sheila returned with a shoe box and some earrings.

"Here, try these on."

Both the shoes and the earrings were a perfect addition to the dress.

"Okay, I guess I'll take it all." I mentally tried to calculate how much this was going to set me back.

Sheila's excitement matched Tina's "I'm so excited for you. You are definitely going to be the belle of the ball."

When we went to pay Tina pulled a card out of her purse.

"You can't pay for my things," I said, pulling out my own.

"I'm not, Sam is. This shopping spree is on him."

My mouth dropped open at that admission. "What? How?"

"I still go to that gym silly. He stopped me the other day when he found out I was going with you to shop. He gave me his card and told me to make sure you got everything you needed. You don't argue with a man that gives you his credit card sweetie."

"I can't let him do that."

"Oh you can, and you will." She handed the card over to Sheila who happily swiped the card.

"She's right if a man wants to treat you let him. My fiancé, Shane, is a professional football player, and even though I make enough money from this store and my online shop on Amazon, he spoils me and I sure do let him."

We walked out of the store with my gown and accessories in hand. I still couldn't believe that Sam had footed the bill. The dress wasn't cheap by any means.

Tina interrupted my thoughts with what she saw as far more pressing matters. "So, now that that's over. Do you want to have dinner on Sam's dime as well?"

My best friend was always ever the opportunist. She still felt Sam owed her for all she had done to help him with Mercedes and would take his money in lieu of kicking his ass any day as long as he continued to do right by me, her girl.