Damn lovebugs I did not know you all were expecting Mercedes to move on first. Yall had me dying in the reviews. Anyways enjoy lovebugs. ;)
The next morning Mercedes had gotten ready to head into Luxe Deux. She dressed in a pair a dark washed jeans, a pair of black booties, a black crop top, and a black blazer jacket. Her conversation with Santana was still running rampant through her mind, of course, if Sam was not in a committed relationship she could most definitely see herself getting back together with him and starting over in their relationship. However, he was engaged to a beautiful girl and they looked happy, that kiss they shared was just the drinks talking. Mercedes was not going to put herself in that position, she refused to be the active reason why an engaged couple broke up.
When she made it work she said hi to the girls that were working the morning shift, and the bartender before heading into her office. She sat her stuff down and booted up her desktop and started working on the necessary documents. She was ferociously typing when a knock came at her door.
"Come in," She said while still working. A handsome brown-skinned man that Mercedes hadn't seen before had come through the door.
"Hi, how may I help you?" Mercedes said sweetly as she gave him her full attention.
"Hi, my name is Derrick I am here for the bartender position, the other guy told me to come back here," He answered.
"Well of course, well I am Mercedes Jones one of the part-owners, and the head CEO. So have a seat and tell me a little about yourself, Derrick."
"Oh of course," He replied as he took a seat, "Well I am originally from Oakland, California, and I came here for some quiet until I figure out what I want to do long-term. I have been a self-made bartender for the longest. I learn quickly and I am not going to lie, I do bring the eye candy."
"Well, I like you already, the other three-part owners will have to perform their own interviews with you. Then we will discuss whether to bring you on and if we do decide to you will be screened just for everyone's safety and then you can start along with our head bartender Brandon."
"Great thank you so much," Derrick said as he stood and lent out his hand.
"You are very welcome," Mercedes smiled as she shook his hand. Shaking his hand went on a second too long as they locked eyes.
"God this may seem a bit forward, but you like to go out sometime?"
"I don't date employees."
"Technically I am not an employee, look don't give me an answer right away just think about it, besides you have all my information. I am harmless." Derrick said as he exited the office.
"What the hell was that?" Mercedes asked herself as she went back to work. She worked until the night shift rolled in, and she was set to have dinner with Santana. She grabbed her belonging said her goodbyes to everyone and headed over to the restaurant that Santana had picked out.
She stopped home to change clothes. So she was now dressed in a pair of black jeans with a black sheer top, and a cream blazer with creme she made it Santana had yet to arrive yet so she took a seat and started scanning the menu. She was deep into scanning when a familiar feminine voice drifted to her ears.
"Mercedes, Mercedes Jones, you are back," Mary exclaimed as she pulled the younger woman into a hug.
"Hi Mary, and yes I am. How are you doing?" Mercedes replied.
"Oh honey I could be doing a lot better, when did you get back into town?" Mary sighed out.
"Oh I have been back for a little bit, but I just got fully settled in."
"Wonderful, Dwight is going to be so excited to see you, he just stepped out to take a business call,"
"Awe, well I missed him too, what are you two doing here. It is Friday you usually have dinner at your house."
"Oh, my dear you remembered, well due to Sam's fiancee we have been forced to give up that tradition sadly because she thinks going out is better for the public image. Dwight and I have lost the willpower to argue so we are letting it be." Mary said dryly.
"Now Mary I met the girl last night at Quick's engagement party and she can't be that bad,"
"Right, and she isn't but she also isn't you baby. I also wanted to come over and apologize for my actions after the incident, I was being insensitive and should have tried to do better. I also want to apologize to Dwight and myself for using Luxe as an information ground."
"Oh, Mary it is fine, honestly water under the bridge."
"Is that my Mercedes," Dwight said as he rushed over and pulled her in for a hug.
"Dwight you are going to suffocate the poor girl," Mary chastised him as he squeezed the life out of her.
"Hi Dwight, it is great to see you too." Mercedes breathed out once he put her down.
"Likewise dear, oh how excited I am to see you again, you must have dinner with us to catch up," He said giddily.
"Actually Dwight, I am meeting," Mercedes stopped when she heard her phone go off and it was a text from Santana to let her know that she had gotten tangled up.
"I bet you did" Mercedes thought to herself.
"Apparently I am free I would be happy to join you both," Mercedes replied.
"Perfect," Dwight smiled as he stood in between Mary and Mercedes had them loop their arms in through his as he escorted them to the table.
"Jordan we are going to be late," Sam yelled out. They were meeting his parents out for the annual Friday dinner, and if Sam was being honest he would much rather they go to his parents' house like they used to. He would love to have some of his mother's cooking instead of some restaurant's but Jordan had made the call. He couldn't stop thinking about Mercedes she was the only thing on his mind, it also didn't help that when he was having sex with Jordan he damn near moaned out Mercedes's name. He was in deep shit.
"I'm coming, I'm coming," Jordan said as she hustled towards him dressed in a small black dress that did nothing for her body.
"Alright, let's go, I can't wait to see your parents," Jordan answered. Sam rolled his eyes internally because he knew that was a lie, the same way his parents couldn't stand Jordan is the same way she couldn't stand them. He gave a brief smile before they exited the house.
When they arrived at the restaurant Sam heard his father's laugh before he saw him. He turned in the right direction and saw Mercedes seating across from his parents. He nearly forgot who was on his side because was about to bolt to the table, but instead, he kept his composure and walked with Jordan to the table.
"Hi momma hi dad," Jordan greeted the older Evans.
"Jordan, so Mercedes tell us how is your mother," Mary said not even bothering to look in Jordan's direction as Sam sat in between Jordan and Mercedes.
"She s doing great, her bakery is doing amazing, you'll have to make a trip down to visit her. She talks about you two greatly. She even has some of Dwight's speeches posted throughout her bakery," Mercedes answered.
"A woman after my own heart," Dwight joked.
"Um I didn't know that you would be here Mercedes," Jordan said.
"Well I was originally here to meet a friend but they canceled last minute and I hadn't seen Dwight or Mary in a while and they offered for me to eat with them," Mercedes answered.
Jordan whispered to herself, "How lucky we all are."
"Yes, Mercedes here is family, and I am so glad that you are back," Dwight added.
"Well, if you don't mind me asking, how did family just up and leave. For a year not to mention without any calls or texts. I know if my family was to leave like that I wouldn't be so sure to let them back in."
"Jordan," Sam said warningly.
"What it is just a question?"
"Well, to answer your question, I left for my own personal benefit, the Evans knew why I left and knew why I had to leave, so to be quite honest it doesn't have shit to do with you Jordan," Mercedes answered with a smile.
"Anyways, Sam have you guys figured out where you two have decided to have the reception?" Mary questioned.
"The speakeasy," Sam answered.
"Of course, let me guess Jordan you decided on that?" Mary replied.
"You know me so well momma," Jordan said sweetly. Mercedes snorted quietly. It was evident that Dwight and Mary could not stand that girl, and she was only adding fuel to the fire by saying, momma and dad. She grabbed her phone when she felt it vibrate and started to respond to an email. As she was doing that she felt Sam graze his shoe against hers. However, she didn't react she simply moved her foot away. Sam didn't like that he discreetly took his hands and placed them on Mercedes's upper thigh.
Mercedes whipped her head at him and he simply took a sip of his drink.
"Aw, well I hate to be a bearer of bad news, but something is going on with my club I have to head back, but thank you, Dwight and Mary, for extending the invitation to me, I'll see you guys later," Mercedes lied. She stood and gave both Dwight and Mary hugs with promises to keep in touch and a brief bye to Jordan and Sam before making her way outside. She made it to her car when she heard Sam chasing after her.
"Why did you lie," Sam asked when he made it towards her.
"Why did you touch me like with your fiancee right there Sam?" Mercedes threw right back.
"I just-"
"You just what Sam? Sam, you know me better than anyone does, you know I don't run like that. I don't sleep around with people in relationships, I don't kiss people in relationships."
"But you kissed me yesterday and you damn sure wouldn't have stopped if you didn't hear that door."
"That was a mistake."
"But our love is still there,"
"Sam you are engaged, about to marry that girl in there, and granted no one likes her or cares for her but you still made that commitment. You did this to yourself."
"You didn't ask me to wait."
"Because I didn't want you to. I wanted you to move on and be happy because I could never have promised you that I would have come back here. Sam go be happy with her, and if you aren't then you need to fix it. But don't drag me into this shit." Mercedes said. She opened the car door and drove off into the night leaving Sam there in the parking lot. He stood there for a few more moments before heading back into the restaurant.
"Why'd you go after her Sam?" Jordan questioned.
"To make sure she got to her car safe," Sam answered instantly as he signaled for another drink.
"Sam nothing would have happened to her in that parking lot,"
"It is just the gentleman thing to do Jordan," Sam sighed out.
"Ugh, fine. Anyways dad I was thinking about having you walk me down the aisle?" Jordan suggested.
"I'd prefer not to, shouldn't your father be doing that?"
"Yes, both of you could do it,"
"No reason for me to do it if he is going to do it already. The dinner was nice until it wasn't Mary and I need to head home," Dwight said dryly as he and Mary stood and exited the restaurant.
"C'mon let's go," Sam said to Jordan as they left as well. this was officially the dinner from hell.