Thank you guys for the Merry Christmas wishes! My boys had quite the time. I am excited to see how much you guys liked the last chapter. Hope you guys have a Happy New Year and enjoy. As always Stay Blessed and Review.

Sam considered skipping breakfast and going right to work, but he was no coward, he couldn't do that to Mercedes either. But if he took his time this morning, then he could avoid her and it wouldn't really be avoiding her. So he took and extra long shower, which didn't help the fire the burned beneath his loins. As he finished getting dressed he sighed stepping out of his room, but that is when he saw her.

She wore a form fitting baby blue dress, it clung to her curves and tapered off at her thighs to flare out at her knees. The wind played with her hair and he remembered his dream last night, where she dropped kisses against his flesh as he played in her hair. His hands palmed his face as he tried to convince himself that he was just having withdrawal symptoms, and yet he knew it was something more.

Mercedes looked up to Sam and smiled warmly waving at him, before she sat down and worked on her file. Sam stood frozen, did she literally just wave him off? Like seriously? He spend half the night imagining what she felt like beneath him and the other half dreaming about her and all he got from her was a wave, as if nothing happened between them? He sighed moving towards her with a smile.

"Morning Mercedes."

"Hi Sam."

The waiter came and placed orange juice in front of Sam and Mercedes. "Good morning Mr. Evans, Henri has created crepes that will make your taste buds weep with pleasure."

Mercedes smiled. "I had them before and I can agree to that."

Sam sighed looking at Mercedes. He wanted to make her weep with pleasure, Sam cleared his throat. "That sounds perfect. Thank you."

The waiter walked away and Mercedes handed Sam a folder. "I have been working on how to update your room and I thought we might keep it simple. We can use the brownish color of the cabinets as a base. I made a drawing to show you the seating area of the living room. You will be able to use the sofa and chairs you have and just cover them with the slips covers that want you aren't coming out the pocket for a new set. Now I should be going but if you need me you know how to reach me." She smiled taking one last sip of her drink before standing.

"Mercedes?"

She turned to him and he grew stiff. Here he was fighting the urge to pull her closer, to hold her, kiss her, throw her on the table and have his way with her, and she stood there acting as if nothing had changed. No woman had ever gotten the best of him like this and two could play this game.

"Those covers for the furniture, where can I get them?"

"I added the address and phone numbers of stores nearby. They should have what you need. Is there anything else?"

Sam sighed, nothing he would say out loud. "Nope thanks."

"Have a great day Sam. Like I said if you need me, you know where I am."

Sam watched her walk away, body teasing him by the second as those luscious hips moved with ease, God he wanted her.

Mercedes was walking on air by the time she reached her office. She couldn't have planned for things to go better, Sam was finally seeing her as more than just his friend. She sat in her chair turning on her computer when someone knocked on her door. She didn't have any appointments...what if it was Sam? She took a deep breath and smiled. "Come in."

The door opened and Mercedes eyes widened. This was the last person she expected to see in her office. "Good Morning Mercedes, do you have a moment to talk?"

Mercedes stood. "Of course Mrs. Evans, Good Morning how can i help you."

Mary smiled as she walked fully into the office and took a seat. "I know I don't have an appointment but this is important."

Mercedes knew what this was about before she even started talking, and she didn't like it. "Can i offer you anything to drink?"

"No thank you, as you might have guessed I am here about Sam."

Mercedes Screamed on the inside but nodded as Mary continued to speak.

"This is awkward I know and if Sam knew I was here he would be upset, but you and I both know that my son is stubborn and hard head. I wanted to talk to you about his home. His house is in desperate need of a woman's touch just like his life."

Mercedes swallowed hard, she did not like where this was going one bit. "I am not sure what I have to do with this."

"Well look at this office, at this hotel, you have such style and class, and you and Sam have always been close I just thought he might listen to you."

"That he should get married?" She said heartbrokenly.

"Do you have something against him getting married Mercedes?"

Mercedes fought back tears, her time was up she had no time left it was obvious Mary had already set things in motion.

"Mrs. Evans Sam and I are friends, but no one could ever persuade him to do something he doesn't want to do. And in this case it would be impossible."

Mary sighed. "I know you are right, unfortunately I Have raised my children to think for himself. I am sorry for putting your friendship at risk. Please forgive me."

"You love your son, why apologize for that?

"Because I could have cost you your friend."

"There is no need to apologize."

"You always were so sweet and gracious weren't you? It's really nice knowing that you have not changed at all."

Mercedes smiled softly. "Thank you."

Mary walked to the door. "You were gone from the cookout before I arrived I just wanted to say you are doing an amazing job here. Your father left this hotel in the right hands."

"I didn't do much I am not as talented as Quinn or even Marley, I just run this place."

"Talent lies in many areas my dear each one of us is given a gift, we just have to search within ourselves to find it. But it's clear you have already found yours."

"I have?"

"Why of course you have, like Sam, you are a nurturer. Your happiness comes from making other people happy." Mary opened the door but stopped. "I know it's not necessary to say this, but thank you for being Sam's friend."

"It's my pleasure." Mercedes said softly. She watched Mary leave and sighed heavily. Mary may not have wanted her as a daughter in law but at least she thought highly of her. This also confirmed that she was determined to marry Sam off to the designer and she had to work harder before she lost him. She was lost in thought when the door in her office opened and Sam burst in closing the door behind him.

"What did my mom want?"

Mercedes stared at him, wondering if he knew how close he was to the bride his mother chose.

"Mercedes? Merce what did she want?"

"She wanted my help, to get you married off." She said sadly. The look Sam had on the outside mirrored her insides. This was the beginning of the end.

Sam sat down quietly shaking his head. "But why?

Moving in front of him she bent down. "Sam your mom loves you , she just thinks this is what is best for you."

"Well I wouldn't be opposed to her loving me a little less." He said sadly. "What else did she say to you,"

"I think you are right. About the designer, Your mother thinks your place needs a woman's touch, your life too."

He frowned but looked at her and smiled. "But why would I need her when I have you?"

Sam noticed her face change. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah I am fine. Look your mom just wants what is best for you."

"Yeah well that is not a wife. Can you take off today or tomorrow for a few to help me?"

"You are going to show your mom you don't need a wife aren't you?"

Sam smiled standing and picking her up with him, "It's scary how well you know me."

"No not scary, you don't like being pushed and when you are you push back"

"See that's you knowing me."

""I have a few meetings this morning and can meet you around 2?"

"I will pick you up. That way we can get lunch."

"Sam I am capable of getting my own lunch."

"Is that why since I have been here I have never seen you eat lunch?"

She sighed. "I will meet you out front."

Mercedes walked out the building at five til 2 and smiled seeing Sam pull up as she did. He hopped out of his red convertible and ran to the other side to open the door for her. "I thought maybe you might be a little late."

She shook her head. "I like to try to be on time."

He took her hand and helped her into the car, shutting the door he ran to the other side hoping in. "Here let me put the top up."

Mercedes side eyed him. "You do know who my brother is right? Unless you are putting it up for you, it's a beautiful day, we might as well enjoy it."

Mercedes pulled out a silk scarf wrapping it around her head. Sam stared at her and she looked at him.

"What? If driving with Cam has taught me anything it's always be prepared cause you never knew what car he was driving. And besides why have a convertible on a day like today if you are just gonna put it up."

Sam laughed. "I don't know why I even expected you to be like everyone else."

"I don't know, you should change that."

Sam sighed as they pulled into traffic. "Fair warning i don't like shopping."

"Yeah that's not true at all."

"Its not? Why would I lie?"

Mercedes smiled. "Because if we were shopping for your restaurant or your kitchen you would be like a kid in a candy store."

"True...very true."

He said as he pulled into a parking spot. As they made their way into the store Sam sighed. "Can't you just do all the shopping and I just pay the bill?"

"Sam this is for your place, you are the one who is going to be living there."

He fell in step behind her. "I like my room at the hotel so you can do it."

Mercedes paused and turned towards him. "Sam it's either me or Tiny Tennessee your mom has waiting on the sidelines for you."

"Wait you've seen her?"

"No, I haven't."

"But you called her Tiny Tennessee."

"I was just teasing." She said, knowing truthful its because the women he dated were tiny. Nothing at all like her. "But you know i am right it's her or me."

Sam sighed as he moved forward looping his arm in her. "Sam please just be nice."

"I can be nice."

"Well Terri the manager is coming so prove it."

Terri walked over to them with a smile. "Mercedes It's great to see you." She turned her attention to Sam. "Sam Evans as I live and breathe how are you?"

"Fine thank you."

"Sam and I am here to look at some things for his home, he is redoing his place."

"And you came for my help? I am flattered." She looked her arm in Sam's pulling him towards the middle of the store. "Well I am sure I have just what you need."

She said and Mercedes had to gag internally. Terri was a divorcees who was looking for her next meal ticket. And she had her claws in Sam.

"So what can I do for you Sam? Anything and everything?"

"I am actually in Mercedes hands, she has been great."

"We wanted to look at Slipcovers in oyster for the sofa and chair, also an area rug and throw pillows."

"Throw pillows? Merce I hate them."

Terri smiled. "All men hate them, but they are quite useful. Your girlfriend would love them."

"Don't have one."

Mercedes sighed, "Sam your hotel has throw pillows and you like them."

"You are at a hotel?"

"I should be moving back home by the end of the week." Sam said.

"Well them I will personally guarantee to see that any purchases made today are delivered by Friday afternoon, if i have to drive them there myself."

"Sam smiled. "Isn't that great Mercedes?"

"Wonderful." Mercedes said. She looked at Terri and knew the game she was playing, Mercedes already snatched Sam from the clutches of one designer she had no problem doing it again. "Sam we should get started. We are on a tight schedule. IF we need you Janet we will call you." Mercedes said looping her arm in Sam's. Terri looked at her as if she was about to challenge her when another guest walked in. Terri sighed defeated. "Okay well excuse me."

Sam sighed. "Let's get this over with,"

"Stop being a baby and come on." Mercedes said pulling him toward the Slip covers.

Mercedes smiled as Sam reached across the booth they were sitting in and clinked his glass of sprite with her Cherry Pepsi. "To Mission Impossible that you made possible."

Mercedes laughed. Yeah I am just glad we finished,"

"I can't believe we knocked all that out."

"Well when you have a plan anything is possible." Mercedes finished her drink looking at the time. "I should get going."

"But you haven't eaten."

"Sorry Sam but I am busy."

"This all could have waited, you need to start being selfish Mercedes and taking care of you."

"Sam I am just busy I will grab something." She stood hugged him softly as she turned to leave and Sam watched every curve in her body move as she walked. His mind was in a trance that he didn't even notice Stevie and Stacy moving to the booth. Stevie cleared his throat and Sam jumped looking at his siblings. Seeing a glass Stevie looked up to Sam.

"Who was just...are you dating Sam?"

"Dating? Why would you ask that?"

"Well you haven't really been around these last few evenings and and we come to the family booth and there are two glasses one with lipstick, a shade that neither mom nor any of the sister in laws or cousins wear."

"I am not dating. Mercedes was here."

"Mercedes?"

Stevie and Stacy looked at each other then Sam. "God you had us worried."

Sam looked at Stacy. "Why aren't you worried about Mercedes?"

"Because Sam, she has eyes for someone else."

"Plus you two have been friends for so long, if the spark was there it would have happened a long time ago."

Sam sighed thinking about what Stevie said, there wasn't a spark, more like and explosion of feelings.

"So how is the bathroom coming?" Stevie asked signalling the waiter who already bought them their usual drinking and appetizers.

"It's coming along good,. I have decided to fix my whole place. I got slip covers and throw pillows. Chrome lining with Nickel and black in the bathroom, a huge Jacuzzi tub and Shower right next to it."

Stacy sat up. "You called the designer mom has been trying to get you to see?"

"No, I am not stupid, Mercedes, she has helped me with everything."

"Well then, look at you finding a loophole. We may still have time yet."

Mercedes had spent the rest of her day putting out small fires around the hotel., from guests complaining to being locked out, but all in all it was a great day. Except for the looming fear that in three days, Sam would be gone from the hotel and all this would be over. She walked past his room, knowing he wasn't there yet and sighed and she went to her own place. Walking into the gated area she froze seeing a table set for two on the patio with a waiter standing by.

"Dinner is Served Ms. Jones, compliments of Mr. Evans."

Mercedes moved closer seeing the table draped in white and gold table cloth and a small bouquet of white gardenias on the table. Another waiter came and offered her his arm."If you can take a seat we can start dinner."

"Is Sam coming?"

"He is not sure of his schedule but we are under strict orders not to leave until you have eaten." Mercedes said down and sighed as he put a napkin in her lap. The waiter poured her a glass of wine and she smiled taking a sip. The wine was a good choice, so what ever happened if Sam showed up she could blame kissing him on the wine.

She looked at the waiter. "This is the first time someone has done something like this for me."

"This is my first time being apart of something like this." the waiter smiled.

"If it makes you feel better this is my first time doing something like this ma'am."

The other waiter brought her tray of food out and she smiled seeing it was piping hot. "Wait, how did you know when you have the food ready so it would be hot?"

"You would have to ask Sam that."

"He is really thoughtful, I didn't get to eat lunch today because I helped him."

The waiter smiled. "Yeah he mentioned that, now if you will eat."

She smiled. "Did he really give you orders to make sure I eat?"

"Yes ma'am." They said together.

"And what it I don't?"

They looked at each other and sighed. "We do not want to find out."

Mercedes nodded about to take a bite of her steak but stopped, "Has he eaten?"

The waiter looked towards her. "I am not sure."

She nodded. She could call him and see, but she figured enjoying this meal and then planning a surprise of her own was a much better use of her time.