I know it's been a while since I updated this, so I decided to give you a double update! Enjoy!
Sam pulled his truck into his parents' driveway, his heart a little lighter than it had been in weeks. The day had been perfect, and he was looking forward to spending time with Mercedes and her kids. His mom had been practically counting down the minutes for their arrival—she'd been so excited to meet Mercedes.
He got out of the truck and walked around to open the door for Mercedes. "Thanks again for coming over," he said with a smile. "My mom's been looking forward to this all week. She's gonna be thrilled."
Mercedes stepped out, brushing the dirt off her hiking clothes as she glanced at her kids. "Are you sure we're dressed okay? I really wanted to change, but we've been hiking all day… and, well, it's not exactly dinner attire."
Sam chuckled. "Trust me, you're good. My mom won't care what you're wearing. She's just excited to meet you and the kids."
As Sam spoke, the house's front door flew open, and Mary appeared with a broad smile that could light up the whole neighborhood. Her excitement was palpable as she hurried toward them. "You must be Mercedes!" she exclaimed, almost breathless with enthusiasm. "It's an absolute pleasure to finally meet you. And these must be your precious little ones!"
Mercedes smiled. "They are. We are thankful you asked us to join you for dinner; your boys speak so highly of you."
"They speak the same of you, too. I'm Mary," she said, holding out her hands. "Dwight's better half and the mom of Sam, Stevie, and Stacey. Come on in—let me see those kids up close!"
Mercedes smiled warmly as she introduced herself and her children. "So you know I'm Mercedes, and these are my children—Roman, Calvin, and Kylie. Or Rome, CJ, and Ky, for short."
Mary's eyes softened at the sight of the kids. "Oh my, how precious! It's such a joy to meet you all. Now, tell me about the B ! How's everything coming along with the renovations? I stopped by yesterday, and it looked great already!"
"The porch is all done, and the foundation's up to code now," Mercedes explained. "We've had to replace some dry rot and do some cement work. Now, they just need to update the siding and the back, but that can wait until after the inside is done. But you should know the crew's been great."
"Oh good! And before I forget, Stacey brought over flooring samples for the kitchen and bathroom tiles and the counter samples today. We should go over them later—I think you'll love them. The sooner we order them, the better."
"That sounds wonderful," Mercedes replied, her smile growing. "But only if you let me help with dinner!"
"I would love that," Mary beamed.
As they walked toward the front door, Mercedes' gaze shifted back toward the yard, where Sam was playing basketball with the boys. CJ had just scored, and Sam cheered enthusiastically, lifting him high into the air. While Stevie egged him on from the sidelines, Rome laughed, trying to block the shot. Meanwhile, Kylie was happily perched on Dwight's shoulders, giggling as he pretended to be a bouncing horse.
Mercedes couldn't help but smile at the sight. Her heart warmed as she watched the easy bond forming between Sam and her kids.
"He really has taken a shine to them, hasn't he?" she said softly to Mary.
Mary's gaze followed Mercedes's and then returned to her, a knowing look in her eyes. "Yes, he has. And they've taken a liking to him, too. I think it's wonderful that you've found such a good friend in Sam. Maybe having someone like you around will inspire him to find his own family someday."
Mercedes's smile faltered, but she quickly masked it, returning her attention to the kids. That's what she and Sam were, and she was okay with that. "He really is a good guy. I'm glad we've become friends, too. After my divorce, I realized just how few friends I had left. Everyone wanted to place blame or felt they were more on Anthony's side."
"I understand that," Mary said, her voice softening. "But that just means here you get to start over and look around; you're not alone anymore. This town is a village, Mercedes. You and your kids have a place here with us, and we're all happy to have you. You'll see—you'll find your people here, your family. And if you and the kids are interested, there's an adventure camp for the little ones that Dwight, Sam, and some of the others help organize. The moms bake treats, and we have a good time while the kids have their fun. It's really a great way to get involved."
"That sounds amazing," Mercedes replied, her heart swelling a little with gratitude.
"Well, let's get inside before they all work themselves up into a hunger frenzy," Mary said, offering Mercedes a knowing smile.
As they entered the house, Mercedes looked at the kids and Sam in the yard, her heart light with hope for the future even though she didn't want it to.
Sam jogged back and forth across the court, eyes on Rome, who was looking more focused than he expected. Typically, Sam would have the upper hand, but there was something about Rome's steady concentration that made him pause. The kid wasn't just playing for fun—he had some serious skills.
Sam dribbled the ball toward him, and Rome immediately slid into position, his movements quick and calculated. He pivoted, faked a shot, then went for a drive to the basket. Sam was quick to react, but Rome was faster—he glided past Sam with a fluidity that surprised him, finishing with a smooth layup.
"Nice move, Rome!" Sam called out, genuinely impressed.
Rome grinned, brushing the sweat off his forehead. "I told you I could play, Sam."
Stevie, who had been guarding CJ, turned to look at Sam with a raised eyebrow. "Alright, I see you, Rome. Looks like I underestimated you."
"Don't worry, I'll show you all my real moves," Rome said, clearly enjoying the competition.
Sam laughed. "Okay, okay, bring it on. Let's see what you got."
He passed the ball back to Rome, who seemed to get more confident with every play. This time, he faked Sam out with a quick step-back, then nailed a jumper from the free-throw line right over Sam's outstretched arm.
"Damn, Rome! You've got a future in this," Sam said, watching the ball swish through the net.
Rome puffed out his chest, clearly pleased. "I've been playing basketball since I could walk. I played at my old school, am involved in a few basketball tournaments, and attend a few camps throughout the year. My goal is to make it to the NBA."
"I think it's safe to say you're better than all of us, and you will definitely make it to the NBA." Stevie joked, giving him a playful shove.
"Eh, having the skills is a no-brainer, but getting my mom to agree is another thing. If my grades fall below a B, I am out of any tournament. It's our agreement."
"She wants to look out for you, so when you get to the NBA, you'll have options," Dwight said, smiling.
Kylie, who had been sitting on Dwight's back like a cheerleader the whole time, jumped up excitedly. "Rome! You're the best! I'm totally your first fan or second after mom!"
Sam couldn't help but smile at the sight of Kylie's enthusiasm. She was a tiny ball of energy, always cheering and supporting her brothers. Stacey was the same way when she was younger. It was the kind of support that felt like it could lift anyone up.
As the game continued, Sam's eyes occasionally drifted toward the house. These feelings were new and weird, but he was so attracted to Mercedes that they were almost killing him. Though he knew she wasn't looking for anything other than friendship, hope seemed to spike up whenever he touched her.
"So," Mary said, glancing down at the samples with a smile, "let's talk about the fun part. We need to make this place as beautiful as it is functional, right?"
Mercedes chuckled lightly, looking at the various samples. "I hope so. I've spent hours researching, but I could use the help to narrow things down."
Stacey walked over and picked up a light wood-toned kitchen flooring sample. "What do you think of this one? I think it would look great with a white and gray kitchen setup."
Mercedes picked it up, running her fingers over the smooth surface. "I like it. It's warm but still neutral. I don't want the floor to overpower the rest of the space, you know?"
Mary nodded approvingly. "It's a good choice. And it'll work well with almost anything you choose for the countertops or backsplash." She picked up a sample of a sleek, gray marble countertop and held it next to the flooring. "How does this look with the floor?"
Mercedes held the two together, stepping back a little to get a better view. "I love that. It's elegant, but it doesn't feel too cold. And the wood tone will keep it from being too modern. It's a perfect balance."
Stacey grinned. "Looks like we're off to a good start. Now, for the bathroom... I think this light blue tile would look stunning with that marble," she said, grabbing a soft blue ceramic tile sample. "It's subtle but adds a little pop."
Mercedes smiled at her friend's enthusiasm. "I love that idea. It's fresh and airy, just what I want for the bathroom."
Mary set the countertop sample down and picked up the tile Stacey had chosen. "I agree. A light color like that will open up the space. And you can add some darker accents—maybe a charcoal grout for the floor or even some darker accessories."
Mercedes nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah, I like the contrast of light and dark. It'll feel fresh but still cozy."
Stacey flipped through a few more tile samples, then paused, holding up a white subway tile with a slight sheen. "And for the backsplash? Something classic but simple?"
"That's perfect," Mercedes said, giving her a nod of approval. "I was thinking of something timeless but didn't want it to feel too basic. This is exactly what I had in mind."
Mary picked up a countertop sample that was a bit darker, a smooth quartz with veins of gold running through it. "This might be a good alternative if you want something a bit warmer. It pairs well with the floor and would look great against the white tile."
Mercedes ran her fingers along the quartz surface. "I like the idea of something with some warmth to it. It feels more inviting. Maybe we could use this for the guest bathroom instead?"
"Exactly," Mary said, smiling. "You'll want something a little more personal in there, especially for guests. This could add a touch of luxury without being too overwhelming."
The three of them continued discussing the finer details of the B renovations, bouncing ideas off one another and picking out colors, finishes, and textures. For a moment, the weight of the day's earlier conversation seemed to fade into the background as they focused on creating a space that would feel both beautiful and welcoming.
As they worked, Mercedes felt a sense of relief. This project, this new life, was starting to take shape. And with the support of her friends, she knew it would be something special.
Mary, Stacey, and Mercedes sat around waiting for the biscuits to finish cooking, talking about different things and enjoying each other's company.
"That poor girl is so in love with Stevie, but he's so blinded." Mary sighed.
"Well, maybe we can fix it so his eyes are opened." Mercedes smiled.
"Oh, I really like you," Stacey said as she spread the samples out on the kitchen table.
Mary gladly agreed to move the meal outside so that they could keep the samples right where they were.
Since Stacey and Mary worked together on designs, their styles were really in sync. "So," Mary said, glancing down at the samples with a smile, "let's talk about the fun part. We need to make this place as beautiful as it is functional, right?"
Mercedes chuckled lightly, looking at the various samples. "I hope so. I've spent hours researching, but I could definitely use some help narrowing things down."
Stacey walked over and picked up a sample of the light wood-toned kitchen flooring. "What do you think of this one? I think it would look great with a white and blue kitchen setup."
Mercedes picked it up, running her fingers over the smooth surface. "I like it. It's warm but still neutral. I don't want the floor to overpower the rest of the space, you know?"
Mary nodded approvingly. "It's a good choice. And it'll work well with almost anything you choose for the countertops or backsplash." She picked up a sample of a sleek, gray marble countertop and held it next to the flooring. "How does this look with the floor?"
Mercedes held the two together, stepping back a little to get a better view. "I love that. It's elegant, but it doesn't feel too cold. And the wood tone will keep it from being too modern. It's a perfect balance."
Stacey grinned. "Looks like we're off to a good start. Now, for the bathroom… I know you said you wanted to keep the same counters, so I think this light blue tile would look stunning with that marble," she said, grabbing a sample of soft blue ceramic tile. "It's subtle but adds a little pop."
Mercedes smiled at her friend's enthusiasm. "I love that idea. It's fresh and airy, just what I want for the bathroom."
Mary set the countertop sample down and picked up the tile Stacey had chosen. "I agree. A light color like that will really open up the space. And you can add some darker accents—maybe a charcoal grout for the floor or even some darker accessories."
Mercedes nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah, I like the contrast of light and dark. It'll feel fresh but still cozy."
Stacey flipped through a few more tile samples, then paused, holding up a white subway tile with a slight sheen. "And for the backsplash? Something classic but simple?"
"That's perfect," Mercedes said, giving her a nod of approval. "I was thinking of something timeless but didn't want it to feel too basic. This is exactly what I had in mind."
Mary picked up a countertop sample that was a bit darker, a smooth quartz with veins of gold running through it. "This might be a good alternative if you want something a bit warmer. It pairs well with the floor and would look great against the white tile."
Mercedes ran her fingers along the quartz surface. "I like the idea of something with some warmth to it. It feels more inviting. Maybe we could use this for the backyard kitchen instead?"
"Exactly," Mary said, smiling. "You'll want something a little more personal out there, especially for guests. This could add a touch of luxury without being too overwhelming."
The three of them continued discussing the finer details of the B renovations, bouncing ideas off one another and picking out colors, finishes, and textures.
As they worked, Mercedes felt a sense of relief. This project, this new life, was starting to take shape. And with the support of her friends, she knew it would be something special. When the timer beeped, Mary smiled as she stood. "Welp to be continued. We need to feed these hungry people."
Sam turned to the yard and smiled. He could see Mercedes, Mary, and Stacey talking and laughing as they carried the plates of food outside. The smells of baked chicken, mashed potatoes, biscuits, and fresh corn on the cob filled the air, making his stomach growl.
"You guys ready to call it a break?" Sam asked, dribbling the ball in his hands as he glanced over at the group. "I think we've earned some food."
"Heck yeah," Stevie said, wiping sweat from his brow. "I'm starving."
"I couldn't have said it better myself," Dwight said, hopping over to the table and making Ky laugh.
As they all walked toward the porch, Sam lingered, watching Mercedes. She laughed at something Mary said, her smile lighting up her face. There was something about the way she moved, the way she interacted with everyone, that caught Sam off guard. His mind screamed at him to push the thoughts away, to remind himself that this was just a casual friendship, but he couldn't help the pull he felt toward her. She wasn't just a friend.
Damn, he thought, shaking his head. Focus, Sam. Focus on anything but her.
But it was hard. So damn hard. The more he tried to shut the thoughts down, the more they crept into his mind. He wasn't blind to the way he was drawn to her—her laugh, her warmth, the way her eyes lit up when she was with the kids. Her beauty both inside and out. Her work ethic. It was undeniable. And that scared him.
Walking to the table, he was surprised to see Ky sitting between his dad and Stacey, CJ to the left of him next to his mom, and Rome sitting next to Stevie, which left the seat next to him open for Mercedes.
As she sat next to him, Sam did his best to keep his focus on the conversations, trying to push the thoughts of Mercedes aside. But with every laugh, every glance, he felt his resolve slip just a little more.
This was just the beginning—he could feel it. And his heart knew the truth no matter how much he tried to deny it.
After dinner, the mood was light, and everyone was full, but as the evening stretched on, Mercedes knew it was time to head back. The kids were getting tired, and the day had been packed with more fun than they were used to. Sam stood as they all began to gather their things, his eyes catching Mercedes' as she made her way toward the door.
"You all set?" he asked, walking her to the front porch.
"Yeah, just need to wrangle the kids," she replied with a smile, her voice warm. "Thank you again, Sam. The kids had an amazing time today. Honestly, they won't stop talking about it."
Sam grinned. "Glad they enjoyed it. You deserve some fun, too." He stopped at the door, watching her. The air between them felt charged in the most subtle ways as if the playful banter of the day had shifted into something quieter, more intimate.
Mercedes reached for the door handle but paused when Sam stepped closer, almost as if he was waiting for the moment to be right. For a second, everything seemed to stand still. Sam gave her a small, practically hesitant smile, then leaned in and softly kissed her cheek.
"Thank you for a great day," he said quietly, his voice lingering in the evening air.
Mercedes felt the warmth of his breath, and for a moment, her heart fluttered. She smiled, her lips curving into something softer, more genuine. "I'll see you in the morning," she said, her voice steady despite the soft thrum of excitement inside her.
Sam nodded, stepping back toward the truck, his eyes still lingering on her for a second longer than he meant. With a final wave, he climbed into the truck and drove off, leaving Mercedes standing on the porch, her thoughts a little tangled. She felt that kiss on her cheek long after he was gone, something sweet and new tugging at her.
Once inside, Mercedes ushered the kids toward their rooms, her mind still on the day's events. She was helping them get ready for bed when CJ, ever the perceptive one, asked a question that made her pause.
"Mom, are you dating Sam?" CJ asked casually, sitting on the edge of his bed as he pulled on his slippers.
Mercedes froze for a moment, surprised by the question. She looked at him, then back at Rome, who watched her intently from the doorway. "No, why would you ask that?" she responded, trying to keep her voice light.
CJ shrugged. "I mean, Dad moved on. Shouldn't you?"
Her heart gave a slight, unexpected tug at the mention of Anthony. She had gotten used to the idea of moving forward, but hearing it from her son made her realize that she hadn't honestly thought about it in a long time.
She smiled softly, trying to ease the tension in the air. "I'm good where I am right now," she said. "Besides, Sam is just a friend. That's all."
Rome, who had been unusually quiet, piped up. "Sam's cool. So, if you did date him, we'd be okay with it."
Mercedes blinked, a little taken aback. "What makes you say that?"
"Just saying," Rome shrugged with a small smile. "He's fun. He is great with CJ and Ky; he makes you smile. You deserve someone like that."
"And while I'd be okay if you didn't date anyone," Rome said, looking at her, a hint of something in his gaze, a trace of curiosity and maybe even acceptance. "If you did, Sam would be a good choice."
Mercedes let out a small laugh, feeling the weight of her emotions shift again. "Well, it's good to know you think that highly of him. But right now, I'm just focused on you guys and the B&B, okay?"
Kylie, who had been playing with her dolls on the floor, suddenly looked up with her big, bright eyes. "Mom, can Sam come over for our family movie night sometime?" she asked eagerly.
Mercedes smiled at her daughter's hopeful expression. "I'll ask him, sweetheart. But for now, let's get some sleep, okay?"
Kylie beamed and hugged her favorite doll tightly as she jumped into bed expecting expectantly. After saying their nightly prayers, Rome and CJ left Ky's room as Ky pulled her covers up. "Good night, Mommy!"
Mercedes kissed her forehead and tucked her in. "Good night, Ky. Sweet dreams."
As she closed the door softly, Mercedes let out a long breath. Her thoughts were swirling, a mix of warmth from the evening and the quiet pull Sam seemed to have on her. But for tonight, she'd focus on her kids, settling them in, and getting some much-needed rest. The rest of it—well, it could wait.
