"Sammy?"

Sam froze at the voice, swallowing before he turned around slowly. "Jess... what are you doing here?"

A tall girl stood there with long, blonde hair flowing down her back. "I brought the baby to visit my mom. I was just out getting some snacks and... air."

Mercedes smiled. "Really? Oh great! I am actually excited to go now." She beamed. "Sunsets are amazing , especially when you have someone to share it with." The night was perfect and she couldn't help but enjoy all this. "Okay, so if you had to choose would you want cookies or brownies?"

Hearing someone call Sam's name, she saw the look on his face and turned with him. She saw a beautiful tall blonde staring back at them. She was the complete opposite of Mercedes. Not wanting to say anything she watched Sam and looked between the two.

"Oh. How- how is he? The baby, I mean," Sam asked. "AJ, right?"

"Yeah. He's good. Real good," Jessica told him. "He's five months now. You should meet him sometime."

"Andy's showed me pictures," Sam told her. He squeezed Mercedes' hand like it was a lifeline. "Sorry. This is Mercedes. My date. Mercedes, this is... Jessica."

This was awkward, but as bad as it was for her, she knew it was worst for Sam. When he squeezed her hand she smiled softly, and looked at Jessica.

"Jessica, it's a pleasure to meet you...and congratulations on the baby." she said with a grin.

"Thanks. You got yourself a real great guy here," Jessica told her. "Sammy's the sweetest guy I ever knew."

"What about Andy?" Sam replied before he even realized the words were out of his mouth.

Jessica looked down at the ground for a moment before looking back up with sad eyes. "Well, here I am staying in Nashville with my mom without him, if that answers your question."

Sam looked off into the distance and took a deep breath. He didn't know what the hell he was supposed to say to that. "We should probably go."

Mercedes looked at Sam and then back to Jessica. "I know he is. Kinda hard to figure out why you let him go." She was never one to hold back when she felt something. As Sam spoke she felt a pang hit her heart at the hurt from his words. He was still so hurt by her, and she wondered if he was still in love with her.

Jessica let out a little scoff. "Guess I'm just an idiot. Must be why my life's such a mess," she sniffled.

Sam started to turn away and his stupid conscience tugged at him. He let out a little huff before he turned to Mercedes and looked her right in the eye. He leaned down and kissed her softly. "Can you give me like two minutes? I'm so sorry."

Mercedes was no fool, she knew the game and knew exactly Jessica was doing. The whole guilt trip con and what made things worse was that it was working on Sam. He kissed her and she forced a smile. "Sure."

"I'll be right back," he promised her. He gave her hand another squeeze before he stepped away from her to talk to Jessica in private for a moment. He rested his hand on Jessica's arm as he said goodbye to her and the girl glanced over at Mercedes.

Sam sighed as they separated and he went back to Mercedes. "I'm really sorry. I couldn't just leave her standing there crying. But I'd really like to go get that ice cream."

Mercedes watched them, and met Jessica's eyes and knew that this was not good. The girl wanted Sam back that was clear. When Sam returned, she nodded. "Yeah Ice Cream sounds good." The whole situation was weird, but it shouldn't have been since Sam was a good guy.

Sam wrapped his arm around Mercedes' waist as they walked. Their night had been going so well and he hated that there was this awkwardness now. He tried desperately to get things back on track. "So, you were asking me about desserts, right? I think I'd have to go with cookies. Though pie is my favorite."

She shook off her feelings not wanting the night to be ruined. "Okay I need to know what kinda pie because it that a deal breaker. "She teased. "I am a sweet potato pie lover all the way."

"Interesting choice. You don't hear that too often. Peach is my favorite personally. You gotta try my mama's sometime." He held the ice cream parlor door open and let her step in. "What flavor are you thinking?"

"I have never had Peach Pie but with the way you are talking about it and with how those peaches taste I am more than intrigued to taste it." She looked at the menu and looked over to Sam. "What are you thinking? I might go with the strawberry cheesecake."

"I'll be sure to ask Mama to make some for you," Sam promised her. "I think a classic mint chocolate chip would hit the spot right now." He stepped up to the counter so he could order for them. "Cone or cup?"

"Thank you." She thought about for a moment and nodded. "I think cup would be good." She said, her mind was still on Sam's ex but she didn't want him to know that.

Sam gave her a thumbs up and ordered the ice cream for them before bringing it over to a nearby table. He took a spoonful and looked over at her curiously. "So... are you still wanting that third date tomorrow? Or that getaway?"

Mercedes looked at him and decided to just be honest. "I do, I want the date, I want the getaway and I want the kisses. But I need to know that you want that too. It's very clear that your ex wants you back so I don't want to do this, get in too deep and you would rather be with her. So my question is do you want that?"

"I don't wanna be with her," Sam answered without hesitation. "For one, she ripped my heart apart and I sure as hell don't wanna go through that again. And for another, and very importantly, I really, really like you. And I don't wanna throw away a chance at something awesome."

She scooted closer to him. "For the record you were way too good for her." She leaned in and kissed him softly. "I don't wanna throw away this chance either. I really like you Sam...like really really like you."

Sam offered her a sweet smile. "I'm really sorry that happened. I... I still kinda can't believe it happened." He didn't even know her and Andy were having any problems, but that was not date conversation. He'd pour over that nonsense with his siblings later on. For now, he reached over and took Mercedes' hand again. "Please know I'm exactly where I wanna be right now."

In that moment nothing else mattered, not his ex, not her wondering if he really was over her. In that moment she was exactly where she wanted to be too.

As they finished their Ice Cream walking back to Sam's truck she linked her hands in his. "Tonight was really great Sam. I really don't want it to end, but I get to see you tomorrow so I am not as Sad."

"Yes, you do," Sam agreed, swinging their hands again. Being with Mercedes gave him this light, easy feeling that he hadn't felt in a very long time. Even after that very big bump in the road, she'd managed to bring it back again. He pulled her door open for her and helped her up into the truck. "You can dress a little more casual tomorrow," he told her once he got in the truck.

"Casual dress? Okay what exactly does Casual dress mean to you because to me it's like dress slacks.." She was slightly embarrassed but Sam knew what he was getting with her, she wasn't as low key as Sam was or Jessica looked.

Sam just smiled at her. "Wear some jeans and some comfortable shoes," he told her. "We're gonna go on an Evans date."

Jeans? Did she even have any? "Uh sure sounds fun." She might have some in her box volunteer box, she just hoped it still fit, if not she was gonna have to make a quick trip in the morning.

Sam glanced over at her as he drove. "Is that okay? I mean, you said you wanted to go on a date that was more me, right?"

Mercedes looked at him and nodded. "I don't know if I have jeans... I know that sounds ridiculous but I am trying to figure out if I have any... so I was trying to think if I had time to grab a pair you know?" She looked at him. "Is that a deal breaker?"

"Mercedes. I just bought these pants yesterday," Sam told her with a laugh. "You helped me clean up a little, now I'm gonna show you how to have small town fun. Even if we're in the city."

"Okay well then I am gonna go shopping before you come get me and that way I can look the part. I don't mind you showing me how to have fun Sam Evans style. " She sighed as they pulled up to her place. "I can not wait to see you tomorrow. Say around 11?"

"For the record, there's no part you have to look if you don't want to. I just want you to be comfortable and able to move around and not have your feet hurt," Sam explained. "Whatever that means to you is more than fine with me." Once he parked the car, he leaned over and kissed her softly. "I'll be here."

Mercedes nodded. "Okay." When he leaned over and kissed her, she smiled, leaning in and kissing him once more, a little deeper as her eyes closed.

Sam's hand came up to cup her cheek gently as he returned her kiss. He was more than willing to go at whatever pace she wanted them to, but he couldn't deny that she lit a fire in him. He licked his lips as he pulled back. "Like my mama always at Christmas time, sooner we go to sleep, the sooner tomorrow comes."

She pulled away from him with a wide smile. "Then I guess I better get to sleep then. Until tomorrow. " She kissed him once more. "Good night Sam." She stepped out of his truck and made her way towards her place. She had to leave or she would have spent the whole night kissing him in that car.


The moment she got into her place, she picked up the phone and dialed her best friend back home.

"Hello?"

"Q, I think I am in trouble with this one. I really like him."

Kicking her shoes off she picked them up and walked towards her room.

"You like him? Isn't he like a farmer?"

"Girl one of the sexiest farmers you will ever see in your life, and the man can kiss."

"Okay so what happened on your date?"

"So he picks me up looking so good. And he takes me to this restaurant and I know it must have cost him a lot but he didn't even flinch, he just told me to order and enjoy and we did the conversation was amazing, and the food was incredible. It felt like I have known him for half my life."


Sam drove back to Stacey's with all sorts of things swimming through his head. This was quite possibly the weirdest night of his life, but damn did it end well. He let himself in and found his siblings watching a movie on the couch. Plopping down between them both, he grabbed the remote and paused it. "Trust me. The story I'm about to tell you is way more interesting than this."

Stevie pouted a little, but continued eating his popcorn and gestured at his brother to continue. Stacey just pulled her blanket up around her and leaned on the arm of the couch.

"So we went to that steakhouse we took Mom and Dad to last year, you know? Thank god for that Smith contract coming through so I didn't have to take her to McDonald's," Sam sighed. "So anyway, we talked about like everything. Your usual early date stuff. Favorites, family, work. But then, for some god forsaken reason, we got on the topic of exes."

Stevie's boredom immediately disappeared and he shoved more popcorn into his mouth. "Damn, what happened?"


Mercedes climbed into her bed as Quinn spoke.

"Okay so you are at dinner, and its incredible... is that it?"

"Well not really, when I say we talked I mean we really talked, I told him about the losers I dated before him, and he told me about his ex."

"His ex?"

"Yep, he dated her for years and she got pregnant. Turns out it wasn't by Sam but by a Ranch hand...the very one who works for Sam."

"Are you serious?"

"Very, she broke his heart and he hasn't really dated until me."

"So you are his rebound?"

"No! I mean I don't know thats not that point."


"I told her," Sam explained with a shrug. "I'm not about to start whatever this off on a lie. I know what lies have done to me. I'm not going it to somebody else."

Stacey smiled softly, ever proud of her big brother. "So what did she say?"

"She was really great about it actually. Super understanding. Told me about this asshole she dated. We both agreed we were better off cause it meant we got to meet each other."

"Aww," Stacey cooed.

"Bored again," Stevie announced.

"Just wait..."


"Okay so what is the point Merce."

Mercedes sighed. "The point is that I thought the night was amazing. It started off great and ended great but..."

"But what?"

"Okay so things got really weird, we had a great dinner, and decided to go for a walk to get ice cream."

"Okay sounds romantic."

"I thought so, but then we ran into his ex, the ex we were just talking about."


"So we're going to get ice cream, right? And I hear my name from behind me and I turn around and fucking Jess is standing there."

"WHAT?" Stevie and Stacey both exclaimed in unison. A sharp cough escaped Stevie's lungs as he breathed in popcorn dust in shock.

Sam patted him on the back gently. "Yeah, that's pretty much how I felt about it too. Like what are the odds, right? And what have I done wrong in my life to deserve this awful moment?"


She heard Quinn gasp and then fumble with the phone.

"Hold on, almost got it...okay so come again?"

"We ran into Sam's ex. And it's not even that we ran into his ex that bothered me, what bothered me was how she literally played him. She gave a sob story about how Sam should come see the baby, how the ranch hand had left her and she was just so guilty for letting him go, I had to stop myself from gagging and that's not even the worst part.

"Wait what can be worse that that? You said it was a great date so he couldn't have run off with her."

"He didn't but not for lack of her trying. She started with a guilt trip and ended with tears. So then Sam tells me to hold on so he can go talk to her. Like on the outside I am like okay cool but on the inside I am just like what the actual hell?"

"Damn."

"I know right?"


"What did she say? What did she say?" Stevie prodded.

"Well, apparently her and Andy are separated. She's staying with the baby at her mom's here in the city," Sam explained. "Which Andy told me nothing about."

"Because you death glare him every time he mentions her name," Stacey reminded him.

Sam just shrugged. "Anyway, she was all upset. Kept telling Mercedes what a great guy I was. And I tried to just walk away, but she started crying and..."

"And? Why is that your problem?" his sister pointed out.

"I don't know. I couldn't just leave her crying in the street." He was getting a taste of that Evans death glare from Stacey at the moment. "So I stepped away for a minute to talk to her and..."

"Wait! Wha- why would you-?" Stacey rambled, standing up from the couch and staring down at her big brother. "Why are men so stupid? What the hell, Sammy?"

"This is the content I wanted," Stevie muttered.


"So what did he say to her? What did he say to you?"

"I don't know what he said to her but that look she gave me before she left, told me that she was not giving up on trying to get Sam back. And I asked him if he wanted her back and he assured me he didn't..."

"Why do I feel a but coming on?"

"She was Beautiful Q, even in a pair of jeans and a shirt . She actually reminds me slightly of you."

"Okay stop cause you are beautiful."

"Duh, I know I am, I am just saying. I am a Jr. Partner in a Law firm who has to go to the store fist thing in the morning because I don't own jeans. I work hard and sometimes I am emotional. And she is this Farmer girl goddess, how can I compete with that?"


Sam sighed and rubbed at his eyes. Women were exhausting. "I just wanted to make sure she would be okay."

"Who cares if she's okay?" Stacey insisted, hands on her hips. "Did she care if you were okay when you were looking at rings and she was in bed with Andy?" She perched on the edge of the coffee table when Sam looked down at his hands, sadly. "Sammy, I haven't met Mercedes yet, but she's the first girl I've heard you talk about this way in a year and a half. And you deserve to be happy. You deserve someone good who's going to appreciate you as much as you do them. So please don't mess this up because Jessica wants to play with you some more. Because that's all she's doing. Treating you like her little toy."

"So did Mercedes dump your ass?" Stevie asked curiously.


Quinn sighed. "You are the one he ended the night with. That has got to mean something."

"Yes I guess, and we are going out tomorrow... I just I want to be enough for him. I don't want him to be with me and feel like he is missing something."

"Mercedes, he's not Noah, or Clark, or James, any of those jackasses who you dated before. They didn't respect you as a the brilliant woman you are. They didn't deserve you and I dunno Sam might. So just think about that."

"You know if you lived closer this conversation would be better."

"Hey you get what you go. Now go to bed so you can enjoy your date tomorrow."


"No, she- shut up," Sam told his brother. He sighed as he looked back to Stacey. "I don't want to be with Jess, okay? I don't. There's just a lot of hurt and memories and confusion still all... stuck inside."

Stacey nodded in understanding. "I get that. But now is the perfect time to push it all out. And let yourself just be happy. And since Mercedes didn't... dump your ass, take advantage of her kindness. Step up and show her that this is what you want. And let Jessica clean up her own mess cause it's not your job." She reached over and gave Sam's hand a squeeze when he nodded at her. "Go sleep in the guestroom. Stevie can take the couch."

"Hey! I didn't do anything stupid."

"It's a day that ends in Y. I'm sure you did," Sam shot back at his brother before getting up and ruffling his hair. "Thanks though, Stace. You're right." He gave his sister a hug before he headed back to his room, pulling his phone once he closed the door and sending a quick text to Mercedes.

Sam: Sleep well. Can't wait to see you tomorrow :kissing_heart:


Mercedes hung up the phone with Quinn and sighed as she got ready for bed. As she climbed in she smiled seeing a text from Sam.

Mercy: Can't wait to see you either. Night handsome.