I really love how everyone has such a difference of opinion of this story. And I am so happy that you guys love it. You guys make me want to write, and I know I have other stories that need updating, but I dunno; this story came so fast and so easy. It just flows out of me. And those who write know we can't control our muse for stories. I read a story and another hits. I will be trying to finish the stories I have, but honestly, I might start a new one, lol.

Mercedes stared down at her phone, debating if she should text Sam or call him. After a moment, she decided to call him; there was nothing to be worried about; if she could stand up to Will, she could handle Sam.

Dailing his number, she closed her eyes, waiting for him to answer. When it went to voicemail, she took a deep breath. "Hey Sam, I know that you are ignoring me, but I also know that you will always listen to my voicemails. So listen, I love you; I think that is what scared me. The fact that you are so absolutely perfect for me. And I don't care that you are throwing a temper tantrum, I don't care if you ignore my calls, and I don't care that you are acting like a child. I love you anyway, I love you through the bad times, and we will get through this. Oh, I am still pissed, and I may ignore you next, but I still love you, so get it together. And call me."

She hung up and looked at the contract in front of her. It was a great offer, and it was everything she wanted, well, everything she thought she wanted. Her computer beeped, and when she looked up, her mom had sent her something. Opening it up, she was shocked to see another contract staring at her—one where she would be made partner at her mother's firm. Make more money than she was currently making or would be making with her new raise.

As she read more on the contract, she would travel for some cases, and Mercedes smiled. Her mom was allowing her to come home but not feel so stuck there. This was the contract she needed to sign; this was the job she needed to take.

Her resolve was clear; she was going home; it was time to get her life back. Mercedes smiled to herself, standing so that she could go tell Burt her choice when Marley came up to her.

"Mercedes, we have a client coming in; they have requested you."

"Marls, I can't. I was just about to go talk to Burt."

"Merce, they are coming via helicopter; this is a VIP client and for them to ask for you is a big deal."

Mercedes nodded; if this was her last client, she would make a good impression. She went to the bathroom, checking herself out. She retouched her makeup and sprayed her vanilla and brown sugar body spray. Ruffling her hair, she smoothed down her high-waisted pencil skirt and blush button-down blouse.

Before walking in, Marley came became with a bag for Mercedes. "Here."

"Hear what?"

"I was asked to give this to you, I don't know much, but the client wanted you to change."

"Change?"

Marley nodded. "Yes, something about needing you to see what you were representing."

Mercedes rolled her eyes. "Marls, please tell me that Will didn't set me up to go visit another pig farm. Everyone deserves help, but he literally made me represent Wilber, that little boy's pig."

Marley smiled. "Hey, I stand by that was the cutest trial. You won the case, Wilber got to live another day, and we got a major client out of it. No one else would have taken the case."

Mercedes nodded. Last year Will sent her out on a meeting where she met Sophie, Miltimillonaire farmer's wife, and Milton, an 8-year-old boy who was suing his father for the rights to his pet pig. Mercedes couldn't turn the little boy down, and within 30 minutes, Wilber was safe, Milton was happy, and Happy Go Lucky Farms were her exclusive clients."

"You go above and beyond, Mercedes, and that is why I know you are gonna change and head to the roof. But before you do, I know about both of your offers. Mercedes, I love working for you, and if you take the promotion, I would love to stay on as your executive assistant, and if you leave, I would love to come with you."

Mercedes raised an eyebrow. "You would?"

"Yes, that story is why I am great at what I do, and I think it's because you are my boss. I would love to stay on. Even if it meant a pay cut and moving to Ohio. I have seen Sam; hot guys can be found there too."

Mercedes laughed. "Well, my assistant would have to be willing to travel."

"Travel?"

"Well, as you know, I am licensed in Ohio, New York, California, and because of that case two years ago in Atlanta, Georgia. My mom's firm does a lot with civil rights and the BLM Movement, so would you be okay with all of that plus a 20 percent raise and moving bonus?"

Marley's eyes widened, and she squealed. "Mercedes! Yes! If you take that job, I am right there by yourself."

"Well then, maybe after I talk to this client, we can talk more about it."

Marley nodded. "Deal."

Marley left the room happily, and Mercedes changed into a pair of workout capris and an off-the-shoulder purple teeshirt that said "Love."

She fluffed her hair then made her way to the roof; she glanced around, wondering who was flying in.

As she waited, she checked her phone, wondering if Sam listened to her message. She had made up her mind; even though he didn't deserve her, she was going to leave, find Sam, and make him talk to her. He can be an ass if he wanted to, but she knew him better than that. He wasn't usually like this. He was scared of something, and once she got her anger out, she would talk to him.

The wind started blowing around her, and she realized that the helicopter was coming. Putting her phone away, she covered her face and stepped back as it landed on the landing pad and came to a stop. Mercedes stepped up but froze seeing Sam step out of it. He stepped closer to her and took a deep breath.

"Hi. I was hoping you would take a ride with me."

Mercedes side-eyed him crossing her arms across her chest. "You ignore me all week, and now you want me to take a ride with you?"

He nodded. "Please, I have something to say, but here isn't the place. Please."

Mercedes got a good look at Sam, wearing a pair of sweatpants and a grey henley deep tee. He moved closer to her, holding out his hand as he raised an eyebrow. "Please."

"Sam, I can't just leave."

"Actually, you can. I already worked it all out; I just need you to trust me."

Sam fell to his knees, taking her hand and looking up to Mercedes. "I don't deserve it, and I don't know why you would, but I am praying that I haven't lost you completely, that you would just listen."

Mercedes exhaled and took his hand, she wasn't sure what was going on, but she owed it to herself to at least see what he was going to do.

He stood and then pulled her into the helicopter and helped fasten her in. He took her hand as the helicopter took flight, and while a part of her wanted to pull away, Sam was still Sam.

As the helicopter took off, Mercedes couldn't help but notice how beautiful everything was. The skyline, the water, it was all so perfect. She didn't know how long they had been flying, but she was shocked as the helicopter landed.

Sam escorted her off, and she let her gaze fall to a car waiting for them. "Sam, I didn't agree to fly back to Lima."

"Mercedes, I will get you back to New York; just trust me."

She hesitated only a moment before getting into the car. The ride was quick, and as Sam opened her door, he handed her a water bottle.

Mercedes noticed the trail, the same one she and Sam took a few weeks backs though it seemed so long ago.

"What are we doing here?"

"Just trust me. It will all make sense soon."

Mercedes followed Sam down the familiar path, coming to the familiar waterfall. Still as beautiful as ever in the sunlight.

Sam pulled her to the edge and removed his shirt. "Care to take a swim with me?"

Mercedes shook her head, "Sam...I don't have a suit."

Sam's lips curved into a smile. "When has that ever stopped us?"

"Sam, I am not sure about this."

Sam took her hand. "Just take a swim with me, and I promise you that it will all become clear."

Mercedes sighed, shaking her head. "I can't believe you are making me do this again."

"I am not making you do anything. I am just hoping that you will."

Mercedes bit the inside of her cheek as she started to undress. She couldn't believe that she was doing this again, but she really wanted to see what he had planned.

Once in the water, Sam took her hand as they swam to the entrance of the waterfall. Once inside, Mercedes gasped. Flameless candles lit up the inside, a blanket with a picnic basket and a few pillows. Sam handed Mercedes a towel, and she wrapped herself up, and Sam did the same. He moved closer to her.

"Mercedes, I owe you such a huge apology. You are my rock, so amazing and strong. You mean so much to me. And I owe you so much more than what I did to you. I was just so scared. And not just finally having everything I want scared, but losing everything I have ever wanted scared me too. Having you in my arms, finally getting to kiss you, making love to you, also opened up my mind to all the bad things that would happen. When Quinn got hurt, I thought about you being hurt, and it nearly killed me. I was so scared to lose you. I was scared to lose my family; I was just scared, so I figured if we stayed away from each other and something happened, I thought it wouldn't hurt as much. But I was foolish. And even though I knew it, my family and your family gave me a hard time and a good talking. I was stupid and childish, and God, I just want to hold you and kiss you and never let go."

Mercedes stepped back. "Nice words won't help heal what you did, Sam. I know I was scared too, but we talk through these things together."

"I know that, and I regret ever acting like I didn't. And that being said, I am hoping that you will give me a chance to make it up to you. For the rest of my life."

Sam reached for a rock behind him and kneeled to the ground. "I have loved you for so long, and I don't want to lose you. I can work from anywhere, and if that means packing up and moving to New York, well, I am there. All I want to do is spend the rest of my life showing you how much I adore you, I need you, I want you. Please, Mercedes, make me the happiest man in the world. And be my wife."

Mercedes felt her eyes water. "Sam, you hurt me."

"I did, and I will never do it again."

"And you acted out of character hurtfully so."

"I did that too. And I promise it will never happen."

"And now you want me to marry you?"

Sam nodded. "I do. I want to be with you forever. I want to make sure you never feel the way you felt this week. So will you marry me?"