Sam opens the passenger door for Yemi, and then holds her hand as she steps up into his truck. He closes the door behind her, before walking over to the driver's side. He shakes his head, smirking to himself. Realizing how gentle and caring he's been with her lately. She really has him open, and it's starting to grow on him.

He hops inside and starts the engine, before making eye contact with Yemi. "Do you feel comfortable skating in a dress?"

Yemi beams. "As in roller skating?"

He nods.

"Sammmm. You really were listening that night."

"Of course."

She throws her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. A moment later, she sits back in her seat, turning her head towards the passenger window, and then shakes her head to keep from speaking.

"You're alright?"

She looks at him and nods, trying to force a smile with tears in her eyes.

Sam grabs her hand, and kisses it. "I know it's not going to be the same feeling you had when you went with your mother. But hopefully, you still have fun tonight." Yemi can no longer hold back. A tear falls and Sam stops it with his thumb. "Should we just go another night?"

She shakes her head vigorously, clearing her throat. "No... this is perfect. I'm just... I'm happy." Her eyes start to water again. "You make me happy. Even when we weren't on good terms, you- you really did make me happy."

"What?" Sam chuckles. "How did I make you happy when I wasn't talking to you?"

"You gave me a place to live, and you never once tried anything with me. That alone gave me so much peace."

He nods, understanding her reason.

"You also made me feel like I was the most beautiful woman in the world. Not like in the normal way- but in the way where... you really saw me. All of me. It's like you studied me or something. I don't know- it's hard to explain." Her voice starts to choke up.

"I just know it made me feel happy that I got to meet you. How you looked at me, made me remember who I was before life started kicking my butt. And because you made me feel all of that, I know for sure that tonight..." She stumbles over her words, trying to hold it together. "Tonight's going to be more than just fun for me. It's going to be memorable." She smiles. "It already is."

Sam leans closer, reaching for her lips. He starts to suck on the bottom one, romantically. Yemi caresses his face as he continues sucking for a moment.

Sam releases her lip and gazes into her soul, causing Yemi to blush. "... I plan to always make you happy."

"Do I make you happy?"

He nods. "You're like a breath of fresh air."

Yemi tilts her head in awe. Sam breaks their stare, playfully slapping her thigh before switching the gear into Drive.

*

30 MINUTES LATER

Sam skates backwards, effortlessly to the song Before I Let You Go by Frankie Beverly and Maze. He holds his hand out, waiting for Yemi to catch up to him. Yemi grabs his hand and keeps up with his pace.

Sam glides behind her, holding her waist as they dance around the rink. Yemi blushes, moving her arms and clapping her hands to the beat of the music.

As Sam reaches back for her hand, he twirls her around, bobbing his head to the song. He guides her body to form a figure 8, continuously switching sides with each other. After a few times, Sam goes back behind her. His body language is relaxed like we've never seen before. Being in this moment with Yemi is definitely his happy place.

Yemi takes in every moment as they skate around together, singing the words to the song. In her eyes, this is the closest she'll ever get to him hugging her.

*

2 HOURS LATER

Over at Yemi's apartment complex, Sam walks over to the passenger door, and opens it. Yemi steps down on the truck's nerf bar, and Sam grabs her waist, lifting her out flirtatiously. Yemi smirks at him. She observes Sam's physique as he closes the door behind her. "Do you think one day, you'll tell me why you don't hug people?"

"...Eventually." Yemi wraps her hand around his arm, her body close to his as they walk towards her building.

"Thank you for tonight." She looks up at him, smiling.

"Anytime, ma." They go up the stairs before reaching Yemi's front door. The sound of foot steps behind them sends Sam into protective mode. He guards Yemi with his body as she turns to see who it is.

"Damn. Here we go," Sam complains.

Yemi peeps around Sam, her eyes landing on Briana. "Are you kidding me?" Yemi sighs heavily; her annoyance couldn't be more obvious.

"Before you say it... I'm not here for money."

"How do you even know where I live? What the hell?!"

"I'll explain later. I just really need a place to stay, right now."

Yemi laughs to stop herself from shouting. "Did you follow me here or something?"

"Yemi, please. I will pay you. I just need to get away from Jonathon."

Yemi starts to unlock her front door, ignoring Briana. Briana tries to grab her and Sam blocks her reach. "Yo, you gotta back up."

Briana rolls her eyes at Sam and then looks back at Yemi. "So, what? You got you a new man? You're too good for family now?"

Yemi steps one foot into her place before looking back at Briana. "I already told you to leave me alone when you came to my job. What part of that do you not understand?"

"Don't show off in front of your boyfriend. I will still beat your ass."

Yemi shakes her head at her. "Just a few seconds ago, you were pleading for me to let you stay here. And just that quick, you're shooting out threats. Briana, if I ever see you again, I will get a restraining order on you. That's a promise." Briana scowls at Yemi for a minute before finally leaving. Yemi goes into her home as Sam stays outside watching Briana leave in her car.

Sam goes inside, and sees Yemi pacing back and forth. "Yemi..." She doesn't respond. "Mamas..." She stops, turning to face him. "Don't let her fuck up your happiness. Don't give her that power."

She rests her hands on her waist, nodding in agreement. "You're right. You're so right." She sits down on the barstool and takes a deep breath. "Thank you for having my back."

"You don't have to thank me. That's automatic."

Yemi smiles.

"Question, though. Did she always have a missing tooth?"

"A missing tooth? No."

"Well, she has one now. I saw a big ass bruise on her arm, too. Like maybe 'ol boy's been roughing her up."

Yemi's eyes widen in shock. She jumps off the stool, panicking. "He's beating her. That's why she wants to leave. Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh." She starts rushing to the door, but Sam stops her.

"Nah, nah. Hold on."

"This is my fault Sam. I should've never left her there alone with him."

"Fuck that. Why would you even think that? That muthafucka putting his hands on his wife has nothing to do with you. You already know he has a twisted mental."

"I have to go get her."

"I know you want to help her, but if you let her stay here, you're going to be miserable again."

"Well, I have to do something, Sam."

"I know, but this ain't it. Imma call V. She has resources." He pulls his phone out of his pants pocket. "She sent her client to a women's shelter one time."

"Will they answer the phone this late, though? The shelter?"

"Yeah I believe the office is 24 hours."

Sam dials Veronica and puts the call on speaker. Veronica answers with loud chatter in the background. "The date is over already?" Veronica inquires.

"Nah, but yo... you still have that number to the women's shelter?"

"The shelter for battered women?"

"Yeah."

"Yeah, what's going on?"

"I'll let Yemi tell you. But can you text the info, right now?"

"Should I text it to Yemi?"

Yemi chimes in, "Yes, please."

"Okay, sending as we speak."

Yemi's phone dings just as she pulls it out of her purse. She opens the message. "Thanks Veronica!" She calls out, walking away.

"No problem, boo."

Sam stays on with Veronica as Yemi dials out on her phone. "You're still out with my boys?"

"Well... we're still in the same lounge. But I'm not really kickin' it with them like that."

"Why?"

Veronica responds nonchalantly, "'Cause Jamie is acting like a bitch. He was trippin' over me holding his phone in the car. Then he kept that same energy when we got inside. I've never seen this side of him before."

"Word? What exactly is he doing?"

"I'll tell you tomorrow. I am not trying to mess up my night, talking about his shenanigans."

Sam chuckles. "A'ight. Call me if you need me."

"Okay. You have enough condoms for tonight?"

Sam hangs up on her, shaking his head at her foolishness. He walks over to Yemi, rubbing her back, as she speaks to the Women's Shelter about her cousin.