Thank you guys for your comments and support…I know it's been a few days, but I had to think on where I actually wanted to go, but I think I've got a pretty clear pathway. Again, I hope you enjoy this chapter.

He got me. I can't believe I let him back in, but I couldn't help it. After that talk in the court yard, he started approaching me differently. His first email to me was to apologize for his jealousy. He said he heard what I said and he was thinking about himself. He discovered that he wasn't the same guy he was before college. He realized he changed after his first semester at Yale. The school was filled with elitist students who weren't interested in getting to know the poor guy with the scholarship on campus. At that time, he told me he couldn't get a date, but that changed when he received recognition for his exemplary work in re-creating the school's website and popularizing certain programs of campus.

That's when he changed his image and became more lascivious. He explained that women were attracted to the asshole and not the nerd, so he never showed anyone his true colors or made it a point to let them know him or get to know him. He felt they didn't deserve it, not until me. From our back and forth emails, he let me know he was trying and to start over, he wanted us to be friends without all the sexual tension and the teasing.

At first, his proposal of being just friends slightly hurt and surprised me. I assumed he didn't want me; that he didn't see me as attractive anymore. I got over that notion quickly and decided I'd rather have him as a friend than sit back waiting for him to stop being the sexual deviant he was and decide that he wanted to give us a try. That waiting game is a tiring one and I'm not built for the drama. So, we began our friendship and we once again met for lunch every day.

It was going well and we were at it for two months. We grew even closer and the drama seemed to surpass us. He and Puck even developed a friendship and everything was going well. He still hadn't given up dating the other women, but he did cut back on it. He stopped with the girl Rachel and with the wonder twins; he only saw them once a week. Tina was seen once every other week. He didn't lie to me about anything and that was always the basis of whatever went on between us; to tell the truth. I even told him when I was dating. He seemed a little put off by it at first, but eventually he accepted it.

One day, we decided to have lunch in the café. We were talking about the project we were teamed on and realized that he, Artie and I were staying late every day.

"I can't believe how demanding this Cornerstone Publishing design is. I've never had a problem with rebranding before." He said.

"It's probably because Cornerstone wants us to re-do their whole look; logo, website and all. It's the biggest project we've had so far this year," I said.

"It is and we have to make sure this is the best. With you and Artie, I know we'll be able to give them exactly what they want," He said.

I was about to respond when I saw the same petite big nosed beauty walk toward our table. She approached and stood directly behind Sam and scolded me. I felt a little insecure under her gaze and Sam felt my tension and looked up. He saw my eyes focusing on something behind and immediately turned around.

"Rachel, what are you doing here," He said getting up. "I told you to never come back to this office."

"Sam, you didn't mean that and I know you didn't mean to break up with me last month, not to take up time with this woman."

"Rachel, it wasn't a breakup because we weren't together. You knew my lifestyle and who I spend time with is none of your business especially the woman you are referring to."

"But Samuel, we were good together, you gave me things; made sure I was taken care of before my shows, I can't give that up."

"Look Rachel," He pulled her away to a corner and I stood to throw away my items. I didn't want to be in the middle of that drama so I made myself invisible. I noticed Quinn sitting alone and went over to say hi.

"Quinnie! What are you doing alone? Why didn't you come join us?"

She looked at me and smirked, "And be in the middle of that drama," She pointed to the corner where Sam and Rachel were having a heated discussion, "No thank you."

I laughed, "That is a mess isn't it."

"It is, but you don't seem to want to give him up. You're in love with him."

"Quinn, we are friends. I accept that this is his life as a friend; there is nothing between us anymore."

"Mm Hmm, but I didn't hear you deny the love."

"Whatever Quinn. He's a friend. I love him as that; a friend."

"Whatever you say Cedes. I know what I see between you two and this so called 'friendship.'"

Before I could make my argument, Sam came over and pulled me up from behind, holding me by the waist. When he did that, I unintentionally leaned into him. When he began to whisper in my ear, I couldn't help the tingle sent to my spine. His breath near my ear still did things to my body. We may have been friends, but the want was still there. I looked at Quinn who had a smirk on her face. I quickly turned my head and gave Sam a nod. He pulled away and left. I missed that embrace.

"Mm hmm, so what did he say that needed to be so private that he practically grinded your ass," Quinn said smugly.

"Smart ass, he just wanted me to meet him so we could talk about what just happened, so shut it. It was all friendly."

"I can't tell from the look on your face. You want that man Cedes."

"I do not," She narrowed her eyes, "I don't," She smirked, "I dont," I thought about it, "Crap I do. Shut up Quinn. I have to go." I got up and walked to meet Sam at our secret place. When I got there, he was already sitting on the bench with his hand in his hair.

"What's up Sam? Are you ok," I asked sitting next to him.

He looked at me and I could see the regret and frustration in his eyes. "I don't know why I did this to myself," He said.

"Did what," I asked knowing what he meant.

"How I let myself get wrapped up in this lifestyle. It wasn't supposed to last this long, this asshole me. It was only supposed to get me through until I made it into the real world and I got lost in it. I keep letting it pull me back in. I keep letting it take root."

"Then don't let it Sam. You can stop this. You are the only one who can. Now that you understand why you did it and recognize this change in yourself, you can fix it. You have people around you who accept the real you and care about who you are. You don't need this façade anymore."

"I know and I am trying, but when it comes back and slaps me in the face, it seems easier to just go back and not have to face it. To just be that asshole again."

"Is that what you did? Went back," I asked a little dejected.

"No, I didn't go back. I can't go back. I'm ending it slowly, but I'm ending it. I can't keep doing this to myself. I'm seeing now that I'm missing out on so much, the things I truly wanted, missing out on truly living who I am. I'm hurting the people I care about, especially you."

Surprised, I looked into his eyes as he continued. "Mercedes, you have become my very best friend and I know it hurts you to see me being this man when you know who I truly am. I am changing, discovering my former self because of you and that dorky ambitious young man would hate this man. He was raised differently and you're showing me that."

I smiled listening to my friend and in that moment, I realized that I was falling for Sam, not just wanting him, but falling for the man I knew under the surface.

"Anyway, we should get back to work. We are well over our lunch break time and we have to wrap our head around these campaigns," He said.

He grabbed my hand and squeezed it. Standing up together, he pulled me in a hug and that all too familiar scent wrapped itself around me and he said, "Thank you."

Alright guys, just a little transition chapter. I've started the next chapter and it's a little more interesting ;) ;), the stuff in this is just a prelude. I'm happy they reached a point of forgiveness and friendship. They're both discovering their true feelings and hopefully they open up soon.

until next time….let me know what you think.