Mercedes took care with trying to find something to wear, her friends were no help at all. They weren't sure why she would agree to date a guy like Sam, saying they had nothing in common, but Mercedes didn't care, there was something about Sam that just made her smile. Finally settling on a bodycon purple dress that hugged every inch of her curves, and a pair of black heels, she let her hair fall to her shoulders and made her way to the address Sam gave her.
The farm was huge, and she drove the long winding driveway feeling even more nervous, wondering if he really was as different as she felt he was, and hoping he really did want to get to know her. Parking she stepped out of her Benz SUV and decided immediately heels were probably not the best bet. Forging ahead she knocked on the door and waited.
A middle aged blonde woman with a smile answered the door with a welcoming smile. "Hello, dear. You must be Mercedes. Sammy's still upstairs trying to look his best, but you're welcome to come inside and wait. I'm Mary."
Stevie was still sitting at the kitchen table with a piece of pie. He lifted his head with that matching Evans smile. "Hello again."
Mercedes smiled brightly. "It's a pleasure to meet you Mrs. Evans, your boys are very helpful and those peaches were the best I have ever tasted," She said complimenting them. Seeing Stevie she nodded. "Hi Stevie!"
"I'm glad you enjoyed them," Mary told her.
"I'm coming, I'm coming, I'm coming," Sam called as he hurried down the stairs of the farm house. He really wanted to get down there before his family embarrassed him too much. It was already enough that this beautiful woman, who also happened to be a lawyer, was coming to pick him up in the house he lived in with his parents and his little brother. He'd put on his best pair of jeans and a button up with a leather jacket over it. "Hi," he finally greeted when he reached the bottom. "You look... amazing."
"I did! I want more, I bragged about them to all my friends, so they will be stopping by." she said boastfully. When Sam made his way down she frowned seeing what he was wearing chewed her lip nervously. "I overdressed... I am sorry I didn't…-" She looked away from him. God they must have thought she was some stuck up princess wearing this and he was in jeans.
"No, no!" Sam insisted. "Really you look incredible. I just, um... this is the best I got," he admitted quietly, dropping his head down. He really should've known better than to think someone so put together would even be interested in him.
"Stevie, why don't we take that pie in the living room," Mary suggested, shooing her youngest son out of the room and following behind him.
Mercedes stepped closer to Sam, lifting his face to hers. "You look hot. Not gonna lie I am really digging the leather." She said honestly. "I don't have any normal clothes...I am either at work or some work event... or dating jerks." She chewed her bottom lip. "If you don't think that I am overdressed then I would still really like to go out with you."
Sam smiled a little at the compliment, even if he did still feel entirely inadequate. "Thanks." A frown took over though as she kept talking though. "I hope I'm not one of those," he half joked. "I'd like that too."
"No you are definitely not one of them. You are different I can tell." She took his hand in hers. "I do think you should drive though, considering you know where we are going and I don't. Is that okay?"
He certainly didn't consider himself a jerk and he hoped he could show that to her. Sam didn't have a whole lot to offer on the material front, but he always did his best to be good company and give his dates a fun evening. "I- Yeah. If you don't mind riding in an old F150."
Mercedes smiled. "Anywhere you are, I don't mind being." She said honestly. "Lead the way handsome, I am really hungry."
Sam couldn't help but smile at that. This certainly wasn't the way he predicted his day would go when he got up this morning, but he was sure glad that it had. He grabbed his keys from the hook near the door. "We're headed out, Ma," he called back towards the living room before leading Mercedes back out to the driveway.
He opened his truck door for her and helped her up into it before getting in himself around the other side. "I'm guessing most of those jerks you were talking about don't announce to their mom when they're going on a date."
Mercedes stepped in the truck, it was slightly difficult in the heels but she managed. "They don't open doors for me either." She said reaching over and opening his door, it was a habit she had when she was younger that stuck.
Sam paused after he'd started his truck and stared at her. "Wait... seriously?" He opened the door for strangers, much less a girl he was on a date with. He couldn't really imagine anyone not doing that.
She nodded. "When I said I dated jerks, I seriously meant I dated Jerks. Real a-holes." She said looking at him. She sighed. "Most of the guys I dated were small minded and couldn't handle someone like me, Independent, hard working and can take care of myself. My ex said I didn't need a man, I was my own man. Or that was his excuse to cheat one me."
Sam listened as he started down the long driveway, his eyebrows raised in surprise. It wasn't that he'd never met any guys who were similar. He'd scare more than one off from his sister growing up. But even after just meeting Mercedes that morning, he couldn't imagine anyone treating her that way. "That's... disgusting," he decided. "Personally, I find hard working to be an extremely sexy trait."
Mercedes gave him a small smile then looked out the window. "I knew you were different. I just, I don't like being penalized because I work hard. It's disheartening because just because I work hard doesn't mean I don't like a man taking care of me."
Sam just shrugged. He'd never thought about whether he was different than anyone else. He was just him and he wanted to make his family proud. "Well, you may have noticed, but my family's pretty big on hard work. And my mama works harder than any of us. She takes care of us, but we do our best to take care of her too."
Mercedes smiled. "That is really great. I think its good you take care of her and she does all of you, that is what a family is about. I miss mines but we are scattered all over." She sighed, she really was missing home a lot lately.
"Oh yeah? I can't imagine. My sister's just in Nashville and it feels weird not to see her every day," Sam admitted. "Where are you from originally?"
"Does she come back to the farm often?" Mercedes smiled. "Baltimore, Maryland. My parents are still there, but my brothers are in Miami and LA."
"Oh, yeah. Whenever she can. She works for a music publisher in the city though," he explained. "Our little busy bee. I always knew she was a secret city girl. Man, that is definitely scattered all over. So your job brought you to Nashville?"
"Aww I am sure she loves it but not as much as she loves you guys." She nodded. "Yeah we are all over but we all know home is always there for us." Turning back towards Sam she smiled. "I had planned on going back to Baltimore but my firm actually came to Yale looking for talent, or they sent a headhunter. When they spoke to me, they gave me an amazing offer, place to stay, new car, great salary. I couldn't say no."
"That's the great thing about home, right?" Sam agreed fondly. "A head hunter? That sounds exciting and... also kinda scary." He laughed as he turned the truck down the next street. "And you went to Yale. Wow." He had no idea what she was doing on a date with him right now.
Mercedes laughed. "Yeah It freaked me out too, but they were really nice about it." She nodded biting her bottom lip. "Yale wasn't that bad. I enjoyed the school and graduated early." She turned towards him. "Lets play 20 questions. You ask me something and I will answer and then ask you."
"You... graduated Yale... early?" Sam repeated, still in awe. "I think you might be the smartest person I've ever met." He hummed at her idea in consideration and nodded along. "Alright. What's your favorite kinda food? Very important."
Mercedes nodded. "Yeah I graduated two years early because I took the max credits as well as took summer courses." She smiled. "Hmmmm Italian. But if southern is as good as you say then that might change." She smiled. "So how old are you?"
Sam could only shake his head in disbelief at this point. And worry that their first date might be their last when she found out he'd only just barely graduated high school. "27. And I've been taught it's rude to ask that back of you," he chuckled.
Mercedes laughed. "I am 28 and it's your turn to ask a question." She said with a smile.
"See how I got the answer without asking though?" Sam laughed. "What's the most spontaneous thing you've ever done?"
Mercedes glanced at him and blushed looking down. "Accepting a date from a handsome farmer guy that I just met..."
Sam's smile appeared slowly and he gave a little nod. "That's fair. That's real fair," he chuckled as he pulled into the restaurant parking lot and searched out a spot.
"What about you? What was the most spontaneous thing you've ever done?"
"Besides ask out a beautiful woman who pulled up to our fruit stand?" Sam pointed out with a smirk. "My friends and I decided to go body sliding down this mudhill once. It did not end well."
"Best thing you ever did in my book." She teased. Mercedes eyes widened up. "A mudslide?! Are you serious? Wait, why didn't it end well? Did you get hurt."
Sam just laughed again as he got out of his truck to go open her door. "Not me. My buddy, Blaze. And yes, I have a friend named Blaze. He messed his leg up pretty good. Still has scars he likes to show off when he tells the story. As if it doesn't make us sound like idiots." He offered her his hand so he lead them into the restaurant.
She smiled taking his hand. "I am sure he loves telling that story. But I am glad that you didn't get hurt." Stepping out the car she looped her arm in with his. "What is your favorite fruit you sell?"
"Now that is a hard question," Sam admitted. "I have to say, when you work seven days a week to grow the stuff, it tastes a whole lot sweeter. I do love strawberries though. And strawberry pickin' is always fun... at least until I'm exhausted. What's been your favorite thing about Nashville so far?"
"Okay I wanna go strawberry picking!" she said with a smile. "Hmmm I guess, since I can't say you or you will get a big head," she teased. "But it's the beauty of it all. I haven't been lucky to see much of it though."
"You're welcome to try it out. But we're definitely gonna have to get you some different shoes," Sam laughed as he opened the door to the restaurant for her and followed her in. "And technically, I'm not in Nashville, so you're safe." He rested his hand on her back as they were taken to a table and he pulled the chair out for her. "But I can't argue with you there. It's a beautiful city and a beautiful countryside. I'm darn lucky to call it home."
She looked down to her heels and smiled. "Yeah pretty sure I would sink into the dirt in these." She let him lead her to the table and pull out her chair, looking around the restaurant she loved the intimate vibe she got. Looking at Sam she nodded. "I think maybe once a week I might just take in a sight or two, something to make this place feel a little bit more like home... Stevie was right though, I will need a guide."
"Definitely," Sam agreed. "But you look very good in them right now, I promise you that." He took his own seat, a blush creeping up at the reminder. "Yeah, Stevie considers himself something of a wingman. Just one that has no idea what subtlety means. That being said, I'd be more than happy to show you around. And introduce you to Stacey if you're looking for another lady to hang around with in the city."
Mercedes blushed. "They do make my legs look good." She said seeing him blush. "Well Stevie did a pretty good job...he got us together you know? Well in a way but you sealed the deal." She nodded. "Okay I would like that. Both you giving me a tour and introducing me to your sister."
"Can't argue with that," he told her in a way that was too charming for his own good. "Please, I beg you, don't ever tell him that." He shook his head and let out a laugh, really not wanting to deal with a smug Stevie. "I know the countryside like the back of my hand, but I visit the city enough to know some fun spots so I think we could definitely have a good time."
Mercedes smiled, "Your secret is safe with me. My brother is the same way, Mac is smug like too smug for his own good and Bug is just annoying." She said with a laugh. "I would love to see the countryside." She looked at the menu. "So what do they have good here?"
"You have a brother named Bug? I feel less weird about Blaze now," Sam teased with a chuckle. "I really do think you'd love the lake. It's really relaxing and absolutely gorgeous at sunset." He looked at his own menu. "Well, I'm a ribs man myself. But the barbecue chicken is amazing too. And the pulled pork. You really can't go wrong."
Mercedes laughed. "His nickname is Bug, but he hates it now that he is older. His name is name is Matthew. And Mac, his name is Marcus." She smiled. "Are you suggesting I got to the lake with you at sunset? Cause I might actually be good with that." she said. Nodding she smiled. "Well if you want, you get the ribs, I get the pulled pork and we can share? That way I can taste both?"
"Ah. Yeah, Blaze's name is actually Blaze." Sam shrugged with a little smile. "If you're interested, I certainly wouldn't mind it. I'm betting you look real beautiful at golden hour. And that sounds like the best idea I've heard. Wouldn't want you to miss out on anything."
Mercedes blushed again, she seemed to be doing a lot of that. "Then it's a part two on the date thing..." She said smiling into her menu. Sam was definitely not like the guys in the city. "Exactly! Now I have a real serious question to ask you Sam... the mac and cheese, is it cheesy? Because that is a deal breaker."
"I guess I must be doing okay if we're already planning more dates," Sam teased, sipping at his sweet tea. "Darlin', you're in the south, what do you think?" he laughed.
"I mean I say you are doing pretty well." Her eyes grew wide as his heavy accent hit her right in the gut. "I swear you accent is pretty darn hot." She smiled. "Does every southern guy have that charm?"
Sam offered a shy smile and an innocent shrug. "Well, certainly more than those Yankee boys, but I do like to think my mama raised me extra well. Taught me how to treat a lady."
She took a sip of her lemonade and laughed. "Oh and how do you treat a lady?"
"Respect, kindness, honesty," Sam replied easily. "And my Dad taught me to always tell 'em how pretty their eyes are."
Mercedes smiled brightly. "Well you have done all that but tell me about my eyes."
Sam smiled and leaned forward onto the table, meeting Mercedes' with his own. "I think they might just be the prettiest pair of eyes I've ever seen."
She bit her bottom lip and smiled. "I bet you say that to all the ladies."
"I did just tell you my dad taught me to say that," Sam pointed out with a laugh. "But, hey... honesty!" He pointed at her and gave her a winning smile. "Really though. They are very pretty and I do mean that."
She shook her head and thanked the waiter as they dropped off the food. "So what else do you say to the ladies?"
"That depends entirely on the lady," Sam insisted as he laid his napkin in his lap. "For example, to you I would say from what I know so far that you are very smart and driven and don't like to take nobody's nonsense, which I always appreciate. And you've got the most adorable, contagious laugh."
"You got all that just from today huh? Wait until you get to know me better." She glanced around the restaurant and smiled. "What would you say if we got our food to go?" She asked drinking some more of her lemonade. "I only ask because I really wanna see if this lake is as great as you say. Sit in the back of your truck? Finish eating and talking? What do you say?"
"Looking forward to it." Sam raised a curious eyebrow, finding this woman to be a lot more full of surprises than he could've guessed. "I think that sounds like just about the best night I've had in a long time," he told her, glancing over his shoulder and waving down the waiter.
"You are just full of great ideas, this date, the lake. Can't wait to see what else you have in store for me."
Sam had the waiter box their food up and took care of the bill before he stood and offered Mercedes' his arm once again. "Allow me to introduce you to Tennessee."
She stood, linking her arms with his and snuggling close to him. "That sounds amazing. Lead the way handsome."
Sam led her back to the truck and helped her inside once again, handing her the food bag. He hopped in himself and started them on their trip to the lake. "Are you sure this is the most spontaneous thing you've ever done? Cause you seem like a pretty spontaneous lady."
Mercedes sat in the truck and laughed. "Trust me this isn't me, or rather isn't who I am Monday through Friday. But when in Rome do as the Romans do"
"Well, I'm honored to have met weekend Mercedes then," Sam laughed as he drove. He made his way back to the lake and backed the truck up carefully near one of the fishing piers. "Shall we?"
Mercedes smiled stepping out of the truck. She kicked off her heels and climbed out of the truck, making her way to the back of the Cab. :I have our food and drinks."
Sam pulled the tailgate down and rested his hands on her waist to give her a boost up. He set the drinks between them before he hopped up himself and grabbed his to go box. "Peaceful, isn't it?" he commented, looking out at the water.
Sam helped her up and she smiled looking out to the water. Kicking off her shoes she sighed contently. "It is," she said honestly. The still of the night the going down of the sun it was beautiful "I don't think I have ever seen such a beautiful sight. And you get to see this every night."
"If I want to," Sam agreed. "Most nights I'm exhausted and already laying in my room. But when I can, I like to get away and come over here. Clear my head, relax. Remind myself what I'm doing all the work for."
She looked towards him and frowned. "I didn't even think about that, you worked all day and you must be tired. I am sorry. I shouldn't have requested this."
Sam quickly shook his head. "No, no. I wouldn't have come if I didn't want to. And it's way better than eating in a boring old restaurant," he insisted. "Plus, I'll let you in on a little secret. These moments right here? These are exactly what I do all the hard work for."
She turned towards him and smiled brightly. "And this moment right here, is why I am glad that I made it here. Glad that I agreed to go out with you. This night is pretty much perfect."
It made Sam feel good to hear, to know he could her a night she enjoyed even if he was nothing like all the guys in the city that could probably treat her to much fancier places. "So officially not one of the jerks then?" he teased before sipping at his straw.
She smiled leaning over to him and kissed him softly. "Not a jerk at all. This is the best date I have ever been on."
The kiss surprised him a little bit, but he didn't mind at all and it left a smile on his face. "Really?" he asked in slight disbelief. "I'd have guessed you'd been taken to some of the most expensive restaurants in Nashville."
She took a sip of her drink. "Money isn't everything you can take someone to the most expensive place in the world, but good conversation and a romantic sunset, it's perfect."
She really did know how to make him feel better about himself, even on a first date. Sam blushed slightly and looked down at his food. "Bet this tastes better anyway. You wanna try a rib?"
She nodded "it does taste way better." She smiled reaching over and grabbing a rib from him, then handing him her container for he could have some of her brisket. "You know the only thing missing from here is music."
Sam pursed his lips in consideration before he pulled out his phone and brought his music app up. He picked out some Stevie Wonder and set the phone behind them in the truck bed. "As you wish."
She smiled as the music started playing. Finishing the rib she nodded. "That was really good. You were right." She said humming along with the music. After a moment she hopped off the truck. "For Your Love" began to play and she smiled at Sam. "Would you dance with me?"
Sam nodded, knowing full well how good it was. He smiled as he watched her, setting down his container. "It'd be an honor." He hopped down and went to her, taking her hand and resting his other one on the small of her back.
Mercedes began swaying to the music. She hummed along and she stared in Sam's eyes. "So why are you single? I have to know?" She asked honestly.
"Well, that's a loaded question," Sam laughed. "I'm sure my ex would be much happier to answer it than I would, but that's not usually the first date conversation." His thumb moved ever so slightly back and forth against her hand. "I guess it's just how life turned out."
"Well their loss is my gain. I am not glad that you broke up but I'm glad that you are free for us to be here in this moment." She let him twirl her around. She laid her head on his shoulder.
Sam smiled as she rested her head on him. He leaned his own head against hers gently. "You know, my mama told me heartbreak could bring good things in the end and I don't think I ever quite understood what she meant until now."
Mercedes hummed happily, loving being in his arms, it just felt...right. Everything felt right. "Thank you for asking me out Sam, I don't think I could have asked for a better date."
"Thank you for saying yes," he replied easily. "And I'm glad you had a good night. I'm gonna be honest I was pretty surprised you agreed. Didn't think I'd really be your type."
Mercedes looked up at him. "Not your type? Thats why I was shocked you asked me out, only because I didn't think I was your type either."
"Guess we're full of surprises," Sam laughed. "I must admit I've never had a beautiful woman drive up in a car like yours to my side of the road produce stand and be even remotely interested in anything I had to offer. Except the produce maybe."
"I guess so." She beamed. "Then those women were foolish." She said honestly. "I am quite surprised by that though. You and your brother are quite adorable how could I not stop and want to buy something."
"Buying something and going out with me are two different things," Sam pointed out with a laugh. "They might be interested in me for a night, but not much else."
"Well I am interested in all of you Sam." She stood on her tippy toes and kissed him softly.
Since this one was a bit less surprising, he actually had time to respond to the kiss. He returned it, still gentle and sweet, and he smiled as she pulled back. "I'm interested in all of you too. And I certainly hope I get to know you better."
Mercedes smiled brightly. "I think that can be arranged, You and me getting to know each other. I just hope I am not too boring for you."
"You went to Yale, you work for a law firm, and you've been to more than one state," Sam pointed out. "You are definitely not the boring one here."
"And yet you have had more adventures than I have. It doesn't matter where you have been or what school you go too. That doesn't define who is better or more anything."
"I don't know about that. And... what if you didn't go to any school at all?" Sam asked quietly, looking down at where their hands were still joined.
Mercedes looked at Sam and lifted his face with their joined hands. "Doesn't make you less amazing. Some people don't go to school, and they are just as smart, just as amazing as those who do."
Sam smiled slightly and shook his head in slight disbelief. "Where have you been hiding all my life?"
Mercedes smirked. "In an office mostly, some places a class room." she teased.
Sam just smiled and kept on dancing with her as the music played until he realized they were in the dark now. "I guess I better get you back safe and sound."
It was like a movie, romantic spot, slow dancing in the moonlight. Everything was perfect and she didn't want the evening to end. But she had work to do which meant she needed to get home. "Yeah I suppose you are right." She said sadly. "Tell me I get to see you again. That I at least get a second date?"
"God, I hope so," Sam breathed out without even really thinking. He chuckled shyly and kissed her gently once more. "I do still have to give you that city tour after all."
"You do don't you." She moved back to the truck, and opened the door for Sam once she got situated since she knew he was cleaning everything up. Once on their way to his home they laughed and talked more, she loved finding more things about Sam, like how his father was retired and he and Stevie ran the place. She was sad when he pulled up next to her car.
"So I guess this is it. The end of the night where I go my way and you go yours."
"Well, it sounds even sadder when you say it that way," Sam chuckled. "Let's just say the beginning of something special." He got out of the truck and helped her out as well, still holding onto her hand. "Forgive me if this sounds chauvinistic, but would you text me when you get home so I know you got back safe?"
"The beginning of something special... I like the sound of that." She looped her hand in his as she walked to her car. "I think its sweet and yes I can text you." She opened her door but stopped turning towards him. "I had an incredible time tonight." She leaned in placing her hand on his chest as she kissed him, deeper than she did at the lake. After a moment she pulled away. Goodnight."
"So did I." Sam returned her kiss, his eyes slipping closed as he got lost in the moment. This was without a doubt the best day he'd had in a very long time. "Goodnight, Mercedes." He closed her door for her once she was in and waved as she drove away. Stepping into his house, he leaned back against the front door. "I'm gonna marry that woman," he declared to the universe.
"Are you drunk?" Stevie asked as he walked past his brother and headed upstairs, shaking his head.
