Sorry the chapters are short. With my schedule, I just have to post whenever I can otherwise I'll keep you guys waiting forever.
MERCEDES' POV
She knew she needed to leave the moment he put his arms around her.
The very moment that he touched her, it felt as if every cell in her body migrated to surface, wanting to feel what they hadn't felt in six years.
So no matter what it took, she needed to leave.
Sitting across from him, his eyes burning into her and his smile sending a chill to her spine-it all made her want to duck and cover. He looked amazing-age had treated him tremendously well and she hated how she remembered every detail of his face.
What was worse was hearing him call her beautiful. She'd heard the compliment countless times before from countless people, always making her smile as she provided a genuine "thank you". But when he said it, the words crept beneath her skin and danced in her brain. It was different. It had always been different with him.
He hadn't followed her and she was glad. Once she was in her car, she sent a quick text to Alicia.
He's still Sam.
And then she drove back to work with every intention of pretending like none of it had happened. As she sat at her desk, reviewing a few sketches she'd received from the design department, a knock came to her door followed by Stephanie peeking her head through.
"Come in, Steph," Mercedes said. The bronze skinned woman approached Mercedes' desk with a small smile on her lips.
"Hey, I just wanted to remind you about the meeting tomorrow. With Glamour Magazine?
"Oh, right, yes. I have the list of items we have to present for the spread. Just have to forward it to Wardrobe,"
"Great," Stephanie said, nodding afterwards. And then she stood there for a moment, her gaze set on Mercedes and Mercedes' eyes narrowed.
"Is there something else, Steph?" Mercedes asked, knowing that there was. And then Stephanie exhaled as if she gave up and she flopped down onto the chair in front of Mercedes' desk.
"Do I have to yank it out of you? How was lunch?" she wondered. Mercedes swallowed, averting her eyes for a moment before looking at her friend again.
"It was-fast,"
"Fast? As in fast food? I've never seen you eat fast foo-,"
"No, of course not."
"Okay, so?" Stephanie tugged.
"I mean it was just over-fast. We didn't talk much. It was," she shook her head, "weird."
"Did you feel anything?"
"No," Mercedes chuckled out, knowing it was a lie the moment she said it.
"Oh," Stephanie said, "Well, that's good, isn't it? Your best friend was right, see. You've got nothing to worry about. "
"Yeah. I guess so." she lied again.
"It's a relief, right? I mean at least now you know you're really over him. I was scared for Luke for a second," she laughed and Mercedes joined shortly after in a laugh that she didn't mean at all.
"Yeah," she nodded. "Yeah, it's a relief."
Work dragged on for the rest of the day and all she wanted was to go home, go to sleep and wake up in a world where this wasn't really happening. But when she did get home, she was there for less than ten minutes, barely settled in, before a knock came to her door. She'd been sitting at the edge of her bed still fully clothed, her mind roaming, when the sound startled her. Everything in her believed that it was him at her door-he had no idea where she lived, to her knowledge, and yet she was still convinced as she walked to the front door that it was him. Her heart was pounding in her chest and she swallowed, standing on her tip toes to look into the peephole. And when she opened the door, a smile pulled across the lips of the man standing before her when he saw her, exposing his white teeth that contrasted nicely with his dark skin.
"Luke," she said, her heart returning to its normal pace as she offered a smile back. He bent to kiss her softly on the cheek as he walked in, his dark stubble scratching against her skin.
"Expecting someone else?" he asked as she closed the door. She followed him to the kitchen, trying to convince herself that she wasn't slightly disappointed.
"Of course not-just wasn't expecting you either," she replied, watching as he placed the plastic bags from Magiello's on the island counter.
"I called your office today at lunch but you weren't in," he said, both of his large hands flat on the counter, watching her with his brown eyes.
"Uh, yeah," she began, moving to stand on the opposite side of the counter, just across from him. "I went out for lunch with co-workers," she lied.
"Oh," he nodded, staring at her for a moment longer before another smile pulled his high cheekbones up. "Well I figured I'd bring you dinner from your favorite place," he said, taking the containers from the bag. She smiled as she looked at him, grateful for how good he was to her. But when he looked up, he flinched a little.
"Babe, don't stare," he said and she rolled her eyes as he walked away with the two plates in hand. She didn't say anything, only followed him quietly, sitting down at the chair where he placed her food.
"Grilled chicken for both of us," he told her as he sat down. She tried to mirror the smile he was offering her as she opened the container, attempting with all her might not to think about Sam.
"How was your day?" he asked.
"Uh, great. It was great. How was yours?" she replied, forking some of her food.
"Same old, same old. Can't complain," he said, giving her a grin as he chewed.
"Are you all packed for tomorrow?" she asked him.
"Yeah, all set. I might've left a pair of my shoes in your room though,"
"The black ones? Yeah, you did," she chuckled lightly, "Always forgetting something,"
"Not always," he smiled.
"Almost always,"
"Mercedes," he said and she grinned.
"How long's the trip this time?" she asked.
"A week if we get it right the first time. This company is known for being difficult to negotiate with." he said and Mercedes nodded. Just as she was about to speak, her phone vibrated loudly on the table next to her plate. Looking at the screen only revealed that it was a text from Sam.
"Phones at the table again?" Luke said.
"I forgot," she mumbled, moving her phone to her lap.
"Don't worry," he smiled, but it didn't reach it eyes. "Another picture of Avery from Alicia?" he asked, looking down at his salad and moving it around with his fork.
"Looks like," she lied, realizing then that she had been doing that often. Quickly turning off the screen, she returned to her food.
That night Luke slept over and went to bed early like he often did, with Mercedes awake next to him. She wanted her brain to shut off but she couldn't make it, she couldn't make her thoughts stop racing because that message was still sitting on her phone. With a sudden rush of courage she reached over to the end table and grabbed her phone, unlocking it and clicking on his message.
"Babe?" Luke's sleepy voice called, and Mercedes had only enough time to read the very first word-a simple hi-before she was busted. She turned off her phone screen and quickly placed it on the table again.
"Just making sure my alarm is on for tomorrow," she said, lying down again and deciding it was for the best that she hadn't read the message. Luke wrapped his strong arms around her protectively, soft snoring ensuing moments afterwards. She closed her eyes, taking a slow breath before releasing it quietly, wondering when resting peacefully in her boyfriend's arms had become impossible.
And in the morning, Luke was gone, with his shoes, before she woke.
She trudged into work the next morning, exhaustion heavy on her shoulders. Sleep had not been kind to her the night before. Flopping down at her chair behind her desk, she pressed her head in the back of it, sighing loudly. She sort of hated this day already and she wasn't exactly sure why until she remembered that she had a meeting with the magazine in three hours. She sat up quickly then, opening her email to review the list once more before sending it to wardrobe so they could finish their final preparations. She was just about to search for it with the "find email" option when she glanced at the very top of her inbox, finding an email from an sevans, with its subject reading, I Didn't Realize You Were Too Cool for Texting. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath in and shaking her head. And then she opened her eyes and the message.
Mercedes,
First things first, I'm sorry about yesterday. It's crazy knowing that it's been six years and we're both probably completely different people now. But you're right, what you eat and really everything else about you is none of my business anymore. Hasn't been for a while. It's pretty clear we got off on the wrong foot. Again. And if I weren't in a city I know nothing about and you weren't the only person I know here, I would try my hardest to leave you alone. Considering it's probably for the best. I would fail, more than likely. But I'd try at least. However, since that is not the case, I'm gonna have to bug you a little more, if that's alright? Still up for that tour?
Sam Evans
Associate Marketing Director
Jacobs and Dorsey
Why is it for the best? It had been her first thought and she wasn't particularly happy with herself for it. She looked around after reading the message, as if someone was there watching her, and then she looked at the time. She had almost the full three hours until the meeting, but she needed to review the list. She exhaled loudly, reading the email again before deciding she could multitask.
How did you get my email address?
Mercedes Jones
Head of Merchandising & Design
Fashion at Berkeley & co.
After she hit send, she searched for the list quickly and then got to work, checking off on each item as she went down the list. Ten minutes passed with no response and she'd been trying her best not to refresh the page. When her computer finally sounded, notifying her of another email, she returned to her inbox quickly, opening the email.
You didn't text me back so I googled you. Also you should consider turning off the "read" indicator on your text messages. Kind of hurt my feelings.
Sam Evans
Associate Marketing Director
Jacobs and Dorsey
She smiled, shaking her head as she read the message. When the smile reached the corners of her eyes, she caught herself, straightening her face and clearing her throat.
What gives you the impression that I care about your feelings?
Mercedes Jones
Head of Merchandising & Design
Fashion at Berkeley & co.
His response was quick this time. As if he'd been waiting.
Getting cruel in your old age, Jones.
Sam Evans
Associate Marketing Director
Jacobs and Dorsey
Her eyes widened and her mouth fell open as she read it, a laugh slash scoff escaping her.
You can't even imagine how much you've just upped the chances of getting that tour you asked for.
Mercedes Jones
Head of Merchandising & Design
Fashion at Berkeley & co.
Another swift response;
In case you were wondering, your sarcasm translates perfectly through email.
Sam Evans
Associate Marketing Director
Jacobs and Dorsey
She hadn't realized the smile was back until she caught a glimpse of herself in the little mirror she had sitting on her desk. She blinked at herself, the smile falling slowly.
"What are you doing?" she asked her reflection, but just before she could form a response, her computer sounded as another email came in.
Is tomorrow okay?
Sam Evans
Associate Marketing Director
Jacobs and Dorsey
She sat back in her chair, her hands falling in her lap. She wanted to want to say no. But she couldn't access one corner of her mind that didn't want to say yes.
No flirting.
Mercedes Jones
Head of Merchandising & Design
Fashion at Berkeley & co.
SAM'S POV
His first instinct had been to follow her out of the restaurant, but just as he stood, pulling his wallet from his pocket, his phone began to ring in his other pocket. He dug for it quickly, retrieving it and looking at the screen.
Nicole.
He hadn't actually spoken to her the entire week, just a few small texts conversations, nothing more. And he guessed if he were anywhere else in the world besides the city that he and Mercedes now shared, he would have been thinking about his "girlfriend" a bit more than he actually had been. But the truth was, if ever there was a battle in his mind between his thoughts of Mercedes and his thoughts of Nicole, he knew the conqueror would always remain the same.
And it wasn't the woman whose name was currently on his phone.
"Hey, Nicole," he said as he answered, picking up the twenty dollar bill Mercedes had left on the table and replacing it instead with a fifty of his own.
"Hi Sam," she replied. "Good to hear your voice," she continued. And he nodded, looking at the empty seat Mercedes had abandoned as he stuffed her twenty dollars into his back pocket.
"Yours, too." he said, which wasn't completely a lie.
"I was hoping we could talk,"
"About?" he asked, giving the confused waiter a simple head nod as he walked past him and towards the front door.
"About me possibly coming to visit," she said, as if it were a question. He froze just outside of the restaurant, New York city busily flying past him in the form of pedestrians and cars alike. He blinked. "Sam?"
"Uh, yeah," he said, lifting his hand to wave down an approaching taxi. "When did you wanna do that?" he asked her, hating himself for hoping she wouldn't say some time soon as he slid into the taxi. "Tower 47," he muttered to the driver, who gave him a quick nod before heading off.
"Next month-maybe? I've been thinking," she paused.
"Yeah?"
"I don't know, just that-maybe we shouldn't, you know, maybe we should just, I don't know...try."
"Nicole," he said.
"I know, Sam. I know how you feel about this and I know you're discouraged about it-but how do we know unless we just try?" she said. Sam didn't respond, his thoughts roaming to Mercedes much too quickly. He'd had his arms around her just twenty minutes ago, and nothing had felt like that in a long time. And now here he was, on the phone with a woman who he knew he should love-who deserved to be loved by him and who loved him.
And wasn't sure he wanted to try.
"I just think we should maybe be long distance for a little bit. I just got here and already you want to come and-,"
"I miss you," she interrupted.
"I know," he said, glancing at the taxi driver who seemed to be immersed in the Reggae music playing on the radio, "but we don't even know what it's like to be long distance yet and if we're gonna," he paused to choose his words more carefully, "if we're gonna try this, I think we should give it few months, test it out."
"So you don't want me to come and visit?"
"I-I do. I just think we haven't even given ourselves time to see what long distance is like. We would have to get used it if we were going to do this," he explained. She was quiet for a moment and what bothered him more than anything was the fact that he wasn't sure if any of his words had been sincere.
There was a woman on his phone, pouring her heart out to him, expressing just how much she wanted to be with him. And his thoughts were almost entirely elsewhere. He found himself ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous. He'd been in a room with Mercedes for fifteen minutes before she decided she didn't want to be near him anymore and yet he still couldn't think about anything except being near her.
"Okay," Nicole said, suddenly and Sam swallowed.
"Alright," he said. "I'm headed downtown," he lied, "Talk to you later, okay?"
"Okay," she replied and then she was quiet, and he knew she was waiting for him to say something they both knew he wouldn't.
He hung up.
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