The Nephew
The Office
Chapter seven
"People are pretty forgiving when it comes to other people's families. The only family that ever horrifies you is your own"
~Doug Coupland
"Jim?" Pam turned around, her eyebrows knit together. "Jim?"
"Hey," Jim nodded at her, his hands wrapped around a small box in his hands. "You look great."
"I didn't think you would come!" Pam rushed to greet her best friend, pulling him into an appreciative hug. Jim's hands pulled her close immediately, his body reacting to their touch. Too close. Pam hesitantly pulled back, confused at his actions.
"I came late." Jim explained, trying to quickly mask his desire with frantic words. "I…I just wanted to make sure you were having a good time."
"At my engagement party?" Pam laughed, her eyes twinkling. She swatted lightly at his shoulder.
Jim gave her a pleading look.
"No, of course I'm having fun." Pam protested, if not half-heartedly. "Now that you're here."
"I wouldn't be anywhere else." Jim answered, smiling. He wished she knew how much he was hurting.
Pam slipped off her coat and laid it on the table next to her in the large dining hall. The lights had dimmed, the people had dispersed. They were alone. Jim soaked in her fitting dress, her breathtaking smile, her staggering aroma.
"Where's Roy?" He cleared his throat.
"Uh, he left to go out with some of his friends." Pam explained.
"Good." Jim answered quickly. "Uh, well, I mean, I didn't get him a gift."
"A gift?" Pam's eyes lit up. "Jim-"
"It's the least I can do." Jim handed her the small, wrapped box. She eagerly tore at the bow before stopping.
"My sister got me lingerie." She eyes him mischievously. "Roy was so happy he-"
"Just open it, Pam."
"All right, all right." Pam rolled her eyes. "Just thought I'd tell you."
"Why would I want to know that?" Jim muttered bitterly.
Pam finished unwrapping the box and set it down. "Because, friends tell each other things." She paused. "And we're friends."
"Yeah." Jim nodded apologetically. "Yeah, we are."
Smiling tenderly, Pam opened the box.
"Jim." She whispered his name in shock. Reaching into the box, she pulled out a necklace. A stunning silver, the necklace held but one charm. A heart.
"Congratulations on your engagement, Pam." Jim spoke, staring at the necklace just as she did. It was a declaration of his love. "I hope-"
"It's perfect," Pam whispered. "Oh, Jim. I love it. Can you help me put it on?"
"What?" Jim swallowed hard, stammering. "Oh. Of course." his hands came up to find the delicate chain, pressing the necklace against his fingers as he unclasped it. He was glad Pam liked the necklace—his sister-in-laws had helped him pick it out.
She turned her back to him, brushing her hair out of the way until the back of her neck was visible. With shaking fingers, Jim placed the necklace around her neck. His hands brushed her shoulder, dancing smoothly along her skin until both his hands could reach the clasp of her necklace. He connected the necklace.
When she turned around, Jim's breath caught in his throat. There she was. Wearing his necklace. His gift to her that no one else could give. She couldn't have him, so he would give her a piece of him.
"I love it." Pam touched the charm with a gentle finger. "It's perfect."
"You're perfect." Jim found himself saying.
Pam flushed. "Jim-"
"No, Pam, listen to me-" Jim stopped when he noticed it. Her engagement ring. A simple, painful reminder of what wasn't his. He had to face the facts. Pam was taken.
No.
He would not allow this. He couldn't.
"I really do love the necklace, Jim." Pam whispered.
"I-I love you." Jim broke free. With desperate, ecstatic hands, he grabbed her cheeks, pressing his lips hungrily to hers. Their first kiss.
Her lips were so soft, so perfect, everything he had dreamed of. Everything he had longed for. Oh, he had longed for this.
His hands kneaded small circles into her precious skin. His lips connected again and again with hers. His eyes had long since slipped shut, blocking out the world around him.
And Pam, was she reciprocating? She hardly moved. She was frozen. Jim didn't know if he was worried or not, but the fire burning inside of him burned away his feelings until all he felt was a strong desire and overpowering love.
His hands dropped lower. To her shoulders. He rubbed her shoulders. His lips stayed in place as he pressed himself closer to her warmth. The tip of his tongue grazed her lower lip. Would she allow entrance? Would she let their kiss escalate?
With slow, hesitant movements, her lips parted. Jim let out an anguished cry, somewhere between relief and need.
Pam was alive suddenly, her body pressed close to Jim. His hands fell to her waist. They leaned back together, locked in their indefinite embrace. Her hands raked through his shaggy hair before reaching the back of his neck. She sent shivers down his spine. She always did.
He wanted to kiss her neck; he wanted to bury his face in the aroma of her hair. He wanted his hands to go lower, lower, lower.
He did not move. He was too afraid to remove his lips from hers. He was afraid of what would happen when they stopped kissing.
Something cold pressed against his neck, painfully noticeable. Pam's engagement ring.
Jim's kisses slowed. What a fool he was.
Letting out a small whimper, Pam tried to rejuvenate Jim, but it was no use. His hands slackened their grip; their tongues stopped their exotic waltz. His lips pressed together for the final time.
His eyes slipped open. He was back to being vulnerable.
"P-please, no." Pam pleaded, her lips gently beginning to kiss his neck. The words caught in Jim's throat. His hands fluttered next to him, torn between grasping and pushing.
"I love you so much, Pam." Jim's voice cracked as Pam's lips trailed up to his jaw line. "Just tell me you love me." He swallowed hard. "Tell me you love me, and I'll let you be. I'll let you be happy. Married. Just let me know I'm not the only one, here."
She pressed her forehead to his cheek. She let out a shaky breath. Her ring glinted in the dim lighting of the dining hall.
"Pam," he begged. "Please. I can't do this alone anymore."
She shook her head slowly. Hesitantly. Painfully. "I c-can't."
"I know," Jim whispered, unable to press down the growing lump in his throat. "I know, Pam." He pressed his lips to her forehead. Seconds later, he found himself inevitably angling toward her. She kissed his nose tenderly before moving to his lips once more. Just for good measure. Just so he would know that she did care. Just because she wanted to.
His touches were so lifeless now. His lips did not keep up with her pace. He made no noises. His eyes slipped shut because of his own agony, not his desire. He was done.
"I knew it! Damn it, I knew something was going on between you two!"
They froze. The lights turned on. Jim didn't even have to say his name to know who had caught them.
Very slowly, he pulled back. He let go. He watched as Pam looked about frantically, desperately trying to conjure up some sort of lie.
He did not move. He did not feel anything.
He hadn't felt anything since.
