Enjoy!

Book Eleven: Be Mine

By Rontora

"Mercedes, child, I swear if you don't stop squirming, I am gonna burn you!" Unique said as she used the hot comb on her edges.

"Look, I know you wanted me to get away from the braids, but this is…." Mercedes started before she was cut off.

"Girl, you haven't even looked seen it yet. Stop being so negative."

Mercedes sighed as Unique wrapped her hair. "I haven't looked because you said I couldn't! Come on, give me a peek?"

"Nope, you have to try on your new wardrobe." Quinn said, walking into the room with Tina. "Now I am so glad that Sam convinced you to let me dress you up, but I don't want any complaining."

Mercedes sighed. "Well, it's beyond me why I am letting you do this…"

"Is it because of Biff at work or Sam?" Tina asked.

Mercedes looked at her, confused. "What would Sam have to do with this? Other than helping me?"

"Because I have been trying to get you to change for years, Sam offers, and you take him up on it."

Mercedes sighed. "That's not what happened! I am ready for a change. And besides, this had to happen…the annual fundraising Gala is mandatory this year; I usually avoid it, so I would like to look my best at least."

"When is it?" Quinn asked, pulling some outfits from the rack.

"Saturday."

Unique smiled. "Well, first things first, I am making sure I clear my schedule for you. Now I am coming here so be ready this time! I spent forty minutes taking down those braids."

Mercedes laughed. "You are the one who put my braids in!"

"I know! And it's about damn time you let me do something more to it. We have been growing your hair for five years, and it's time to let it out and let it breathe. It's so full and long."

"Well, I would know if you let me look." She said, trying to sneak a peek into the mirror.

Unique moved in front of her, applying her makeup as Quinn smiled. "With your new hair and looks, once we get the whole you doing your own makeup things down, we will be okay."

Tina smiled. "Can you do my hair too?"

"Of course, beautiful, I got you. Gonna have you both looking like you just walked the runway."

Mercedes frowned. "I am suddenly regretting all of this. I avoided all this stuff in high school because I wanted to be taken seriously. What if even with all of this…I am still invisible?"

Quinn smiled. "Mercedes, I promise you that by the time we are done with you, you will see how hot you really are. Now! Let's get started."

Sam tossed his gym bag down and looked around for Biff; as much as he wanted to believe that Mercedes had good taste in men, he had known her whole life, and that meant he knew she liked losers.

"You see him yet?" James said, looking around.

Sam shook his head. Usually, he would have respected Mercedes's wishes, but he needed James on this one. So he decided to split the difference. Keep from James why he was helping Mercedes and just told him Biff was a guy she was interested in.

He could have told him the truth; he was helping make her over, helping boost her confidence, but he couldn't. A huge part of him wanted to keep that secret to himself. While he and James expanded their college business, they grew into the top consultants in the industry.

They were helping businesses with rebranding, product reviews, and all that in between. He loved what he did, and getting to do it with his best friend meant he would be set for life. But it was obvious to Sam that while their business minds were connected, their relationship values were not.

James wanted that bachelor life. Money, cars, women. He was successful and handsome, and there was yet to be a woman who could tame him. But Sam wanted so much more. It's why he loved hanging with Mercedes. Behind closed doors, she was a romantic, just like him.

They watched romcoms and talked romance novels, and she always made him laugh. Her sense of humor matched his. There was a moment, just one, that he thought maybe there could be more, but then he spoke to James and realized how bad it would be if things went wrong. He had always seen the beauty inside of her; he was just so glad she was finally embracing her beauty outside.

"There he is." Sam said, nodding towards where Biff was.

"Doesn't really seem her type." James said, leaning against the wall.

"Considering your sister barely dates, does she really have a type? But he does seem…" Sam's voice trailed off.

"Like someone who we need to learn more about. It looks like they are a few players short; wanna join a game?"

James nodded. "Let's go."

Walking over to Biff and his friends, Sam nods. "Yo, our guys didn't show; you got room for two more?"

Biff looks at them and shrugs. "Ya'll got game?"

Sam and James looked at each other. The two played both football and basketball in high school and college.

"We can ball a little." James said with a smile.

"Alright, you can be on my team." Biff said.

As the game started, it was clear to Biff and his friends that Sam and James clearly knew what they were doing. They lead his team 25 to 10 for the win.

Biff smiled, slapping Sam on the back. "I can see you all know more about the game than you let on."

Sam smiled. "We like to let our actions speak for themselves. I am Sam; that's James."

Biff extended his hand. "Biff. I haven't seen you guys around her before."

"Our regular spot is under renovation. But this place is so much better." James smiled.

"Yeah, it's close to my office, so I come here any chance I get."

"Your office?" Sam asked. "You a Lawyer or something?"

Biff laughed. "No, I am the marketing director of Wayland Pharmaceuticals."

James raised an eyebrow, faking surprise. "My sister works there! She is the Lead Researcher for their Biotech division, and her name is Mercedes."

"Mercedes? Huh, I don't know her, but that place is huge, so I am not surprised." Biff checked his watch. "I gotta go, gotta shower before my date tonight."

"Oh, your girl waiting for you?" James inquired.

"Ha, girl? Nah, I am not a one-woman man. Life is too short to spend it enjoying one meal on the menu, you know?" Biff laughed, grabbing his bag. "If you come back again, look for me; I'd love to have you on my team again. You two, kick ass."

Biff walked away, and James shook his head. "Absolutely not. It will be a cold day in hell before I let my baby sister date a man like us."

"Us?" Sam laughed. "You mean you." He corrected.

James rolled his eyes, walking out of the building. "Whatever, it's not gonna happen. She deserves better. Not someone who is so busy sampling all the other meals he won't appreciate her."

"James, she is gonna date who she wants, and we have to deal with it." Sam said with a small smile, though he didn't know why he felt the same way James did about it.

Tina stood outside the door looking at Quinn and Unique. "You sure she's okay in there? She has been in there for a long while."

Quinn knocked on the door. "Merce? You coming out here anytime soon?"

"Nope. I am not. This outfit is ridiculous. I look ridiculous and foolish." Mercedes said from the other side of the door. "I can't do it. This isn't me."

"How about we be the judge of that? Just come on out; I am sure you don't look bad. That outfit is perfect for you." Tina replied.

"If my dad sees me in this, he will have a heart attack. James will probably have one, too, and he and Sam will lock me away." Mercedes yelled. "I regret this. I regret all of it."

"Don't make me call your mom." Tina said. "I will have her over here in five minutes."

"I don't care!" Mercedes whined.

"Mercedes, I am picking the lock right now; we are gonna see that outfit one way or another." Unique said, jiggling the handle.

"NO!" Mercedes said, standing firmly.

Quinn frowned as Sam and Sam walked into the room. "Why, hello, ladies, just checking on things."

"She won't come out." Quinn sighed.

"What do you mean she won't come out?" Sam asked.

"She's refusing to leave the bathroom." Quinn said. "Maybe this was all too soon?"

Sam walked to the door and knocked. "Cede? You okay?"

"Sam? What are you doing here?"

"James and I were just coming to see you."

"James is here too? Hell to the no! Go away. Come back never."

James moved to knock. "You know we can pick locks, right? So either you come out, or we will pick that lock."

Mercedes growled. "FINE! But I swear if you laugh at me…"

"We won't laugh! I promise." Tina said, stepping back with the girls, Sam and James.

Mercedes hesitated holding the knob, before she opened the door, and jaws dropped. She stepped towards them; wearing a Paisley off-the-shoulder duster with a low bust line that showed off her ample cleavage, flared-out sleeves with a high hemline in front and low in the back, she wore a pair of back-ripped hip-hugging capris. They added paisley opened-toed heels and hoop earrings. Her hair fell past her shoulders in curls, and the natural subtle makeup completed the look.

Mercedes stared at them, trying to figure out why they weren't speaking. "Aren't you gonna say anything? Is it that bad?"

Unique stepped forward with a smile. "You are my greatest creation. Merce, you look amazing."

"She's right! You look terrific; Tina squealed as Quinn walked over and started taking some photos.

Mercedes looked over to Sam. "Sam? You won't lie; how do I look?"

Sam stared at her, his heart beating in his chest fast as he too her in. She was breath taking, beautiful. Stunning.

"No! No why would you dress her up like this! Do you know the men who would try to take advantage of her!" James spat.

Mercedes frowned. "I knew it." She said turning back to the bath room but Sam took her hand.

"Guys can we have a minute?" Sam said looking at them.

As the girl's walked out, James folded his arms across his chest. "We need to talk to you Merce."

Sam shook his head. "No, just give me a minute James. You are her sister, your opinion is bias. Let me talk to her."

"You aren't…you don't…" He shook his head. "Sam will explain it."

Turning to leave James walked out the door and Sam moved to shut it. Mercedes stared at him. "What? What can you possibly say?"

"Merce…you look…"

The cliff hanger!