ENJOY!

The Bar

Mercedes shook her head, taking a step back only to bump into Santana. "Why are you here?" She asked.

"This book is about me so why not give your fans a peek at what you experienced?" Sam answered and she frowned.

"But I asked you to leave, I told you I did not want you here and you just interject yourself into one of the biggest book signings of my career!"

"I think it's romantic," Britney said and Mercedes shot her look before looking back at Sam and Stevie.

"Leave. Stevie can stay but you need to go and before you try anything I will have security throw you out if you refuse." Mercedes asserted but her voice cracked slightly.

Sam shook his head. "You're stuck with me until you talk to me."

"Just talk to him, I'll stall with the other cowboy," Santana said, grabbing Britney's arm and guiding Stevie out to where everyone was waiting to leave Mercedes and Sam alone.

Mercedes folded her arms across her chest. "Two minutes, go!"

"You are sexy when you are angry, you know that?" Sam teased with a lopsided grin.

"Tick tick tick." She said looking at her phone.

"Mercedes, we both-"

She laughed, turning away from him. "Nope."

Sam reached for her. "You were with your fiancee and I just lost it okay? I didn't want to risk being hurt."

"I am still waiting on the part that's my problem." She spat.

"But I am your problem." He stressed. "Just like I want you to be my problem. It's never going to be all rainbows and sunshine and that's fine because that's not real." Sam leaned in taking her hand in his. "But what is real is us, we knew it that first night, we knew it when you left and we know it now. I know you are scared that I am gonna go, but I am not going anywhere."

She looked up to him. "How do I know that? You run Sam, that's what you do."

"I ran in the past because I didn't have anything or one worth chasin' til you."

Mercedes shook her head. "No, you pushed me away and then ran. That wasn't in the past you did that to me. I wanted to stay, I wanted to figure out how to make it work but you wouldn't let me and now you come here and demand I accept my feelings for you like what you did didn't happen? Life is not like the books I write and if I can tell the difference, then you should be able too." She said, taking her hands from him. "If you want to be a cowboy and entertain my readers, go ahead but I am just a writer that wrote about a cowboy, to them you are fictional and that's how you will remain."

Sam looked at her, seeing the pain in her eyes. "I understand that I hurt you and I understand that it's going to take some time to regain your trust back and I'm willing to do everything I need to do. I just need you to open that door for me… even just a little."

Mercedes looked at him, having a series of different emotions rushing through her but one remained constant, her hurt. "You were giving a chance and you didn't take it. You had a whole year, a phone or a text would've went a long way but you did neither. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have work to do." She replied, walking past him and putting in the best smile she could.

Sam shook his head knowing this might be it, he would have to prove that wasn't going to just give up that easily. So he followed her and like his father always said "if you can get the door opened, find a window" he was about to find one.

"Hello everyone! I want to personally thank you all for being here and purchasing my book! It's always an honor to see each and every one of you." Mercedes said, smiling at everyone there.

"Okay we will be taking some questions before we start the signing." Santana informed and the people who had questioned lined up while some of the guest were giggling at Stevie and other admiring Sam, which didn't bother her at all.

Not one single bit.

"Will there be another installment to this book?" One person asked and Mercedes let out a playful laugh.

"I'm not sure if there will be but you never know might make it a series!" She answered, earning cheers from the crowd.

"I really love how these two met, randomly at a bar. Has that ever happened to you or was it all just from your creativity?" The next person asked.

"Well that's the great thing about my mind, it takes me to exciting places. Like a woman stumbling into a bar to find…" she stopped seeing Sam coming into sight. "To find a place to escape and end up on an adventure."

"Did she? Find the escape she was looking for?" The same woman asked.

She looked at Sam before looking away. "I believe she did, she found it and she found out a lot of things about herself in the process."

The next person stepped up, smiling brightly. "Would you ever consider going off and escaping like your lead?"

Mercedes opened then closed her mouth. "I think… if there was something calling me to do it then yes but I have this amazing tour to do now."

"So there's no one or nothing that would make you stop and ride a Cowboy?"

She blushed. "I think I'll leave the riding to my muse."

"What if someone loved you and just so happened to be a cowboy?" Sam asked and everyone turned and looked at him.

"I-"

"What if the cowboy wanted to make up for being a complete asshole but he didn't know how to do it? So he shows up to your booking signing hoping you'll give him a chance?" He asked, taking a step closer.

Mercedes shifted on her feet, noticing that everyone was now waiting for her to reply. "W-well that's a big what if and I think that if my muse was in that situation, she would want an explanation and I'm sure she'd want something more grand than him dressing as a cowboy." She replied and everyone looked at him expectantly.

"And if it wasn't for your muse? If it was for you?"

"That's hard to say because I'm sure feelings would need to be considered but I think a real apology and not some half assed one or being forced to accept one just because I might be in love with that person." She answered and she felt the shift from the audience, she could tell there was more behind her answer.

Sam moved through the crowd, who parted so he could get to the mic. "And if that person told you that he was so damn stupid and so in love with you that he would absolutely dress up as a cowboy just so that he could see you. That he bought ten copies of your book and read each one of them like he didn't live it…" he said and the audience gasped.

"Holy shit… this is getting good." Santana muttered to Brittney.

Mercedes swallowed, letting out a nervous laugh. "Well that is a beautiful tale and I'm sure…" she started before looking at him. "Ten copies?"

"Twenty but Stevie made me put them back." He replied , rubbing the back of his neck. "I know you're pissed and you should be… just let me change your idea of me."

The crowd aww'd and she shook her head, scuffing. "You know this isn't fair… you have an audience encouraging this."

"I was going to show up naked…" He blushed when the women whistled and one shouted for him to get naked now. "I will… if that means you give me another chance."

Mercedes raked her lip through her teeth. "Please don't… I don't need everyone expecting this to be a thing. I'll agree to meet with you after my tour."

He shook his head, stepping closer. "I will either join you or you will meet me tonight. I'm not waiting another what? Two, three months to see you."

Mercedes scoffed. "You waited an entire year, what's a few weeks."

Sam stepped closer to her. "Everything."

Mercedes stared at him, seeing the vulnerability in his eyes.

"Merce either way we win, your book signing is already going down in history! Anyone who hears about today is going to hear how the book came to life and want that experience. Talk to him, work this out and have him come out on tour with us." Santana encouraged.

"Santana I can't."

"You can. This is your best work. I mean it Mercedes, your best writing, because it was filled with you. You are an incredible writer everyone knows it but elevated yourself here. Having him and his brother just show up, get your name out there, your book out there. A book that gives us hope to find our very own cowboy or girl. And you know I am right." Santana said softly.

"Come on Mercedes, just meet with me." Sam said.

"Yeah, meet with him." Someone shouted prompting the crowd to chant "Meet with him" over and over.

Mercedes rolled her eyes. "Fine! Okay I will meet with you tonight after my signing."

The crowd erupted as Sam beamed. "Thank you. Thank you."

One of the patrons moved closer to the mic. "If he's taken, is the other one single? I wanna ride a cowboy too."

Stevie beamed. "Hell yes I am! I give the best rides too." He shouted.

Santana moved to the front. "It's time for our best-selling author to read a passage from her book. If you all will take a seat."

Mercedes had a preset passage already picked to read but something in her wanted to change it up, Sam threw her for a loop, and he pushed her into a corner so now it was time to turn the tide.

As everyone sat down, Sam stared at her wondering which she would speak on.

Clearing her throat, Mercedes opened the book to Chapter Five. "Ava stared at the cowboy, his rugged good looks hitting her in a way that she hadn't felt with her ex fiance. Yes Brandon, her ex was gorgeous, but there was something about Seth that set Ava a flame with desire." She said looking up at Sam, knowing he knew where she was going with this.

"He led her down a special trail, her arms wrapped around his waist as Buttercup ran across the trail at a fast pace, the feeling was exhilarating but it was the way Seth's body felt against hers that got her going. As he slowed the horse to a stop along a river bank, Ava noticed the small picnic spread he had for them. 'Seth' she said as she climbed down the horse. 'This is the most romantic thing that has ever happened to me.' Seth pulled her body close to his. Lips brushing hers as he moved to her ear. 'You ain't seen nothing yet Darlin', once you ride a cowboy, you never look back'."

The audience applauded as she closed the book, Sam's eyes bored into hers, desire clear on his features.

"That concludes the reading, if you guys line up here, Mercedes can sign your copies." Santana said smiling as she high fived Mercedes. "Girl, I know that wasn't what we chose but damn that was beautiful. You still love him so don't let fear stop you from admitting it."

Mercedes nodded as she sat down to sign the copies, her eyes kept darting to Sam who waited patiently for her, with each passing minute she realized that Santana was right and no matter how hurt she was, she loved Sam. Now she just had to decide what she wanted to do about it.

The book signing was great, her fans really loved and admired her and that feeling it made her feel like she was walking on air, it also gave her the courage to meet with Sam. They needed to talk and while she was still hurt she couldn't deny how much she loved him. She wasn't sure what she did when she got there, but she wasn't going to run away, not anymore.

He had sent her a text, letting her know where he and Stevie were staying, and she was sure she was going to talk to him, she needed some liquid courage, so she decided to stop at the bar for a drink. Ordering a whiskey, she waited for her drink as she thought about what she was going to say to Sam.

"Here you go, one Whiskey, neat. On the house." Sam said.

Mercedes gasped looking up at him. "Wh-what are you-?"

"Tough day?" he asked, giving her a knowing smile.

She took the drink and nodded. "Tough year."

"You aren't from around here are you darlin'?"

Mercedes chewed her bottom lip. "What gave me away?"

"A beautiful face like yours, I wouldn't forget it." Sam smirked.

"That's not what you said." Mercedes laughed.

"It's what I should have said, along with, you are breathtaking and I want to be yours only yours."

She rolled her eyes. "See you're still laying it on thick…" She teased, taking a sip of her drink. "How'd you pull this off?"

"I have connections and I own this place." He replied, topping her off. "What brings you in? Figured a woman like you would be somewhere being ravished."

"You would think, but see a man hurt me, and so I haven't been ravished in a long time…unless you count him ambushing me and us rocking each other's world recently. But anyways. Do you flirt with all your patrons?" She questioned.

"I used to but I met a woman and she did something to me… can't even look at another woman without comparing them to her."

"Are you comparing me to her?"

He smirked. "I am… is that a problem?"

"Depends, what are you comparing?" She countered.

He leaned on the bar, looking her over. "Well when I met her, she was a little timid… I'm wondering if you'll go in the back with me and let me make up for whatever that asshole did."

Mercedes let out a shaky breath as she took another sip. "Now that depends."

"On what exactly?" He asked, adding more whiskey to her glass.

"If you can prove you can make it worth my while. You may be comparing me to her but that just means I'd be comparing you to him and you should know…he was very good with his tongue." She shook her head pushing the drink away.

Sam grabbed the glass and threw it back before looking at her intensely. "I've been told I have a masterful tongue."

She licked her lips, praying she wouldn't regret her next words. "Prove it."

Sam growled, before standing up and clearing his throat loudly. "Bar's closing in two minutes!" He said loud enough and the other patrons looked at him for a brief moment before gathering their things.

Mercedes sat back in the chair looking around as others began to gather their things. "So should I clear out or is this you about to ravish me?" She teased.

He looked at her, smirking. "You stay there and find out."

She threw her hands in the air. "I was going to meet someone but I guess I can make them wait longer."

He shot her a lingering look. "Their lost."

"Is your gain right?" She smirked.

Sam shrugged. "Depends do I have you? I know my tongue can't fix everything but I'm hoping it's a start." He answered, locking the door and walking over to her.

"I guess we will let your tongue do the talking and see if you do." She said leaning into him.

"Don't you want to talk first? Because after I get my taste, you belong to me."

"You got something to say? Say it."

He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. "I'm in love with you." He said, leaning down and kissing her. "I want to be with you and only you." He added, kissing her again. "I want us to be together, always."

Mercedes looked at him, seeing the sincerity in his eyes. "If I do this, you better now hurt me again."

He smirked. "So you're gonna ride a cowboy again?"

"How else am I going to continue my story?" She laughed.

"Well, let's not keep our fans waiting!" He replied, scooping her up and running to the back.

Next part will be the last for this story! We missed you but life has been happening! Again, WE'RE BACK BABY!