Joey Potter walked in the restaurant. It was raining outside and she was carrying an umbrella as she came towards the door wearing her long peacaot and her brown hair a mass of waves. Pacey saw her walking towards the door and he recalled back to their initial reunion just last year when they had returned to Capeside for Gail's wedding. She had been coming into the Icehouse from the rain outside and he had felt it. He had realized in that moment that all the feelings he had been denying for the years they had been apart were still there. He had known in that instant what it had been that was missing from his life. In reality he had always known, he had just tried to convince himself otherwise, resulting in his unhappiness which he hoped to solve by resorting to women, booze, and most frequently his work. And now he had it all. He had the most beautiful, most intelligent, funny, witty, incredible woman in the universe. And for some god forsaken reason he was never quite able to guess she wanted him. And he accepted that. There was no more time for insecurities.
Joey entered the restaurant, and Pacey stood up to hug her, she hugged him back then grabbed the back of his head and kissed him excitedly.
"What was that for?" He smiled as she sat down opposite him.
"I thought I should give you one more passionate kiss before I break up with you." She teased.
"Oh, well in that case, I'm done here. I've got some girl I've got to take sailing for the summer and I was just hoping to get a chance to end things with you first. You know, to keep it respectable?" He stood up jokingly and started to walk away.
She grabbed his hand and he looked down at her, laughter in his eyes.
"Or maybe…" He began, he began to walk back towards her.
"Yes?" He questioned.
"Maybe I have some amazing news and I just can't wait to tell you!" She smiled. He sat down and held her hands across the table.
"Tell me everything." He insisted, amazed at how electric her touch still felt, nearly a decade after he had kissed her on the side of that road.
"It's getting published! My book! Pace, they're going to publish it!" She shrieked and he stood up again, and hugged her instantly swinging her around, before kissing her in excitement.
"Joey that's great! That's fantastic! When? I can't believe this I'm so happy for you!" He held her.
"I know, I'm so happy, but Pace, you know I couldn't have done it without you. You were the one who encouraged me everyday for the past year. You gave the inspiration to actually finish it." She smiled, and looked at him. She too couldn't believe how happy she still felt with him. How alive her made her feel. He always had made her feel so alive. Whether they were fighting, making love, or even just watching TV or eating breakfast every moment was incredible with him.
He kissed her again.
"No, Jo. This – this you did all on your own. And I love you even more because of how talented you are."
They sat down and a waitress came over and delivered their meals, which Pacey had already been sure to have prepared. After all, he valued prompt service, and this was his own restaurant. If he didn't get the best service possible how could he expect his customers to? Joey smiled at him and he smiled back. They didn't need words. Both of them knew, that this was a dream come true. Neither of them asked how the other felt. Because as Joey had said once before; they wouldn't need to ask.
