He's spent months slowly forcing his mind into not thinking about her. It's like diversion therapy. Every time he thinks about the words wedding, casino night, or Pam he gives himself a mental slap and thinks of anything else—like paper tonnage or reciting the phone numbers of his biggest customers.
Then he hears those words.
Have fun on your date.
And he's back in Scranton having his heart stomped on.
And he starts over. Mental diversion therapy take 2.
He's just at the point where he can hear her name without twitching when he gets the invitation. Why did Phyllis pick now to get married? And why did he have to like Phyllis so much. If it was just about anyone else in the office he might have begged off, but Phyllis was really his friend. She was nice and sweet and she knew how he felt about….her…and she'd always hoped they'd end up together.
So, he had to go. And he'd have to see her.
Please all that is holy don't let her bring a date.
&&&&&&
She does bring a date, not just any date, but Toby. She's dating Toby and for one long moment he thinks he might actually hit something. It would be a first, but hey, there's always a first time. But no he nods and says hello to them both and then spends the next three hours not staring at her across the table. Finally, she and Toby get up to dance and he's saying goodbye to Phyllis and Bob and getting the hell out of there.
He's at his car when he hears her call him, "Jim….Jim wait."
He turns and the words erupt before he can stop them, "Wait for what? Wait for what Pam? Wait for you to tell me you didn't marry Roy. No, Phyllis told that, and Dwight told me and Michael told me, but not you. Wait for you to tell me you're dating again, no Michael dropped that little bomb on me. Maybe I should wait around so I can watch you giggling and dancing with Toby for a little longer. Is that what I should wait for Pam?"
Pam said nothing, just stared at him. He shook his head and turned back to the car. He wasn't waiting for her anymore.
Then suddenly hands were on his face and her lips were on his, her body pressing his into the car and he's lost in her all over again.