The rain was pouring as Pam left her apartment the next morning. The wipers on her car ran frantically back and forth. Traffic was slow in the heavy rain. She only had a fifteen minute drive to the office, but today the way seemed endless. Her stereo was playing and she hummed along to the music. After Jim's call she'd fallen asleep quickly, his voice having had a soothing effect on her. She had to laugh at his timing. She wished she had been bold enough to tease him for interrupting her. She shook her head at her own giddiness. Something had happened since Jim returned. Her state of mind was so light and happy, her body full of energy. It almost overflowed.

When the elevator doors opened she could see Jim standing outside. His hair a bit more tussled already.

- Hey there. Do you miss me so much you have to wait for me here?

- That's right. Hi Pam. How are you?

- I'm just dandy. How are you? Did you get a good night's sleep?

- Yeah, slept like a baby.

- Good. Because I can't keep getting up in the middle of the night to warm up milk for you.

- You didn't warm up any milk.

- In spirit I did.

- Hehe….yeah, in spirit you definitely did. Thanks for that.

- You're welcome.

She looked at him; he seemed to want to say something.

- So??? Are we gonna stand here all day, or should we go in and pretend to work?

- Ehh…..we should go in, but just not yet.

- Ohh…okay. Is something wrong?

- I don't know.

- What is it Jim?

He looked at her. His eyes were serious and searching. She moved a bit closer to him. He opened his mouth to speak.

- Ehh….Karen's gone.

- What do you mean - gone?

- I mean, she's left. Her desk is empty. I don't think she is coming back.

- Ohh.

- Not that it makes a difference. I don't know.

- Yeah….so..uhh….how do you feel about it?

- This is really awful, but I think I feel a bit relieved. Like now, I can talk to you without having her look at me, at us. I don't know, it's really selfish…but a little part of me is glad.

- Yeah….suppose I can see that.

- It feels really wrong to be glad right now.

- I understand.

Michael was in a bad mood and spent most of the morning with his door closed. His absence allowed effective work hours for his employees. Pam glanced over at Jim every now and then. She noticed how her co-workers seemed to pay more attention to him today. She figured the gossip train was stopping at every work station in the office. No one could overlook the fact that Karen's desk was empty.

Jim's posture was stiff, not relaxed like it had been before Karen returned. The glances bothered him. She knew what Jim was going through. It was awful to let someone else down; to break another person's heart. The shame of having an entire office gossip about it was just as awful. She thought about the first few days after she'd called of her wedding, how her guilt was as heavy as her relief. People had been faking concern, but were really only pestering her for the details. Her mind drifted to Roy. She'd made the right decision, but every now and then she wondered how Roy was. After that whole dreadful incident with him and Jim they'd both known it was over. Roy seemed to finally be at peace with it. Her conscience had grown a bit lighter over the year, but she couldn't escape from the fact that she had been dancing around Jim in a non platonic way for far longer than she cared to admit. Looking back she knew it started early, maybe even some time during his first year there. It hadn't been right, she knew that. Roy wasn't perfect, but he hadn't deserved her unfaithfulness. He hadn't deserved her confiding in another man instead of him. She'd known quite early on that Jim felt more for her than just friendship, but it wasn't until about a year or so before he left that she suspected it was more than a crush. She'd known this, but continued to seek out his comfort and support. Her hands weren't clean. When it all came down to it, Jim had been right in confronting her. But she still felt a tiny bit resentful that he'd left the way he did. He abandoned her when she needed him the most. She looked over at him, occupied with something on his computer screen, and thought about how they hadn't really talked about THEM yet. As great as the past few days had been she couldn't help but feel the weight of the past on her shoulders. Jim's eyes were no longer on his screen and his expression had changed a bit. If she didn't know better she'd describe it as worried. She tried to get him to look over at her, but he seemed lost in his own world. Too happy to be overly concerned she returned her focus to her minesweeper. She could talk to him later. Lunch wasn't that far away.

Lunch had come and gone. The special little moments she used to cherish with Jim seemed utterly too short. The office had been the link between them, the place where they got to spend time together. Their moments had always felt few, even fewer since he got back from Stamford, but she'd always loved the chance to have him to herself, even if it was only for a minute. Today, the office was an obstacle and their brief encounters acted more as a source of frustration than anything else. She wanted to be free to approach him whenever she wanted, to touch him, to look at him. She couldn't wait for them to leave this place behind. She hadn't gotten a chance to really talk to him; they'd always been surrounded by one or more of their co-workers. Everyone wanted to share their own theory on why Karen had left. Pam could see Jim's frustration growing, but he just bowed his head and let them talk. As much as she loved his capacity to never lose patience, she wished he could have told them to mind their own business this time. She clicked on the Instant Messenger.

Pam: How's it going over there?

She could see his face light up as he got her incoming message. She loved to see his face change like that, from bored to happy in an instant.

Jim: Oh you know…..my skin's getting burn holes from people's constant staring.

Pam: Sorry about that. I'll stop ;)

Jim: Hehe….my mistake. I wasn't referring to you, you can stare all you want. I actually prefer it if you took ten minutes of every hour just to check me out.

Pam: Ten minutes huh? Sure that'll cover it?

Jim: No, but you can save the rest for later.

Pam: Speaking of later, do you want to go somewhere and eat later?

Jim: Love to. But I'm insisting we go on a fancy date tonight.

Pam: And what have we been going on so far?

Jim: Pam….Dinner before six o'clock and pizza on your couch doesn't qualify under the Halpert law of fancy dates.

Pam: Hehe…..how about Coopers then? Does it qualify?

Pam could see that Jim's expression changed. It was a subtle change, probably only detectable to her, but it was there. She raised her eyebrows to question what was wrong, but he didn't look in her direction. He just kept staring at his screen.

- PAM…PAM….PAM

Michael emerged shouting from his office. Her attention was diverted from Jim to her boss.

- Yes Michael. I'm right here.

- Pam. It's a travesty. How could Karen just leave like that, she had three sales calls today and now….now I've been forced to deal with her over the phone. It's just not right. I mean, sure she was never really part of our real family, but she was a good step person. No – more like a hot exotic adopted sister or something and…ohh…I just can't deal with all of this today. Jan wants me to pick up wallpaper samples and go to the grocery store and be home by five…and I just don't…

Michael sat down on the couch resting his head in his hands, shaking it slowly back and forth. Pam looked over at Jim, his eyes still glued to the screen. She could see he wasn't really concentrating on work. Usually this would be the type of situation where Jim would calm Michael down by offering to take one of those calls, but he didn't. He just kept looking straight forward. Pam sighed and pushed back her chair and headed for Michael on the couch.

- I'm sure it'll be okay Michael. Just have one of the others help you. What about Dwight? She looked up to motion a gesture to Dwight, but he wasn't there.

Michael looked up. His bottom lip was protruding. He looked like a petulant child. Her co-workers suddenly looked very busy as his eyes swept the office. A few moments later they rested on Jim.

- Jim.

Jim was still not looking at them, but at least he reacted.

- Yeah Michael.

- Could you help me out? Go on one of Karen's sales calls?

Pam could see Jim's whole demeanour changing. He was reluctant to do this, but she'd never known Jim to refuse to answer a request, not even from Michael. Jim was usually the one who came up with a clever response that threw Michael of the scent. Jim's responses often made Michael forget what he requested in the first place. She was therefore very surprised when he answered in an annoyed voice.

- I'd really rather not Michael. I've got a lot to do myself.

He hadn't looked over at them once, and Pam was baffled at his behaviour. This wasn't at all like Jim. He'd shifted his focus from his computer to some papers on his desk, his head down. Just before Michael started another rant Dwight appeared from the kitchen.

- Ah…Dwight…compadre….can you do me a little favour?

- Of course. What do you want?

- I need you to go on a sales call for me.

- You don't have any sales calls today.

- No, but Karen left and she had some.

Dwight looked at Michael, then at Pam, and then down at Jim.

- Why can't Jim go? He's the one who dumped her.

Pam imagined she saw Jim's new short neck hair rise. The tension was palpable. The others didn't look quite so busy any more; their heads moving up, listening attentively to the conversation. She wanted to say something, do something to save Jim from this whole embarrassment, but she was momentarily speechless. She could see Jim finally lifting his head, turning in her direction. He met her eyes for a couple of seconds before he looked up at Dwight.

- No.

His voice was steady and more assertive than she thought she'd ever heard it. She could feel the goosebumps under her thin shirt. Jim continued to hold Dwight's eyes. Pam wasn't sure whether she was fascinated or troubled by the staring match in front of her. Would Jim cave, would Dwight?

- You're such a looser.

Dwight caved and turned to Michael.

- Okey then. I will do it. Seeing Jim is too busy to clean up after himself.

- Fantastic Dwight. You are a very trustworthy employee my friend. Just call Karen to get the details.

Pam quitted Michael and returned to her desk. A feeling she couldn't quite place stirred in her stomach.

Two hours later they'd barely spoken. Jim was on the phone to customers most of the time. Before….before Jim's confession-before Stamford-before Karen, he'd made time to visit her. Today he hadn't. She suspected it was the whispers of their co-workers that kept him away. There was no need to fuel their gossip train.
She wanted to IM him again, but she didn't know how to phrase the opening. Her mind drifted to their date. He would be fine just as soon as she got him out of there. It had to be the pressure of the situation that got to him. It was only logical. As the clock approached the end of their work-day she began to ready herself for departure. She could see Jim doing the same. Aware that they probably shouldn't leave together she clicked on her Instant Messenger.

Pam: I was thinking of leaving now. When do you want to pick me up later? And are we going to Coopers?

Jim: Hey there…. Are you really going to abandon me here?

Pam: Hehe…I thought it might be best if we didn't leave together.

Jim: Yeah…you're right. How about I pick you up at seven?

Pam: Sounds perfect.

Jim: Great, seven it is.

Pam: And where are we going???

Jim: That's a surprise.

Pam: Not going to give me any hints?

Jim: Nope. Just dress fancy.

Pam: How fancy?

Jim: Oh….a ball gown should do it.

Pam: You're kidding right?

Jim: That's for me to know and for you to find out ;-)

Pam: You're impossible.

Jim: Hey…that's no way to speak to the man who wants to take you out on your best date ever.

Pam: JIM!

Jim: Yes, Pam.

Pam: Seriously. What should I wear?

Jim: I've already told you.

Pam: okay…..Jim. I'm not kidding. Please be serious for just one moment.

Jim: Hehehe…..impossible.

Pam: Sometimes you're just plain annoying Halpert.

Jim: Hehehe…sorry. Okay, okay. We're going somewhere nice, but if your dead set against the ball gown I'm not going to insist on it.

Pam: Good. I don't think I own a ball gown.

Jim: You don't own a ball gown? You know gowns are the standard dress code in castles?

Pam: Hehe…where did you learn that?

Jim: I read it in last months issue of Castle Living. You should order a subscription.

Pam: I'll look into it.

Jim: Seriously though, you'll look amazing no matter what. Just wear that amazing smile of yours and I'll be happy.

Pam: :)

Jim: There it is. Love it.

Jim: So, see you later then.

Pam: Yeah, see you later.

Jim: Bye

Pam: Bye Jim.

***********************************

Two hours later she was standing in front of the mirror, trying to decide if she should put her hair up or keep the loose curls. She was unsure about her clothes and make up. She'd spent most of the time at home in her bathroom, applying make up three times before she was satisfied. Now the pink shimmer highlighted her cheek bones instead of making her look like a clown. The dark blue eye-liner framed her eyes and the soft pink lip-gloss made her mouth shine. She still wasn't sure if it was too much or not enough.
She'd tried on five different outfits before deciding on a purple shirt overlain with black beadings. It looked expensive without actually being so. Her top was a black satin blouse that was loose fitting, but with a deep neckline. She wasn't sure about the top either. It was one of the blouses Kelly had talked her into buying, that she'd never worn outside her apartment. She looked at herself in the mirror and felt different, but beautiful. Her hair had cooperated and was now straightened except some loose big curls at the ends. As she debated whether to put it up or take it down, the doorbell rang. Down it is then. She sprinted towards the door and flung it open. As they laid eyes on each other they both stopped short and just starred. He was wearing a dark grey suit that seemed tailor made for his tall frame. His hair was still short, but just as tussled as it had been at the office. She couldn't believe she was going on a date with this guy, this handsome guy that looked down on her with eyes that showed admiration and love. At that moment she felt like the luckiest girl in the world.

- WOW
- WOW

She looked at him and they both started laughing. Their WOW's had come out more or less simultaneously. " Wow" Jim said again and took her in from head to toe. His approval made her cheeks warm and she prayed she wouldn't start blushing. Tonight she wanted to be cool and sophisticated and everything he deserved. His eyes were beaming and his smile revealed his every emotion.

- You look…wow.

- Hehe….you've already said that. Thank you.

- Hehe….well, I think I've momentarily lost my vocabulary. You look amazing Pam.

- So do you.

They stood staring at each other for a moment before Jim said.

- Are you ready?

- Yes.

On their way to wherever it was they were going she realised she hadn't thought much about their destination, so when Jim turned his car into the Radisson parking lot she looked at him with questioning eyes. He just smiled at her, refusing to disclose his agenda. Somehow it continued into a silent staring contest. She was jokingly pleading with her eyes to get him to explain, while he was trying to hide his cleverness behind knowing eyes and a content smile. They walked in silence towards the hotel. The sky still gray, but it had stopped raining. Pam made sure to avoid the biggest puddles as she held on to Jim's arm. She could feel her anticipation rising.

*****************************************

A few minutes later she sat down with a silly smile on her face. Jim had held open doors, pulled out her chair, and given her a big bouquet of fresh flowers as they entered the private dinning room he'd arranged for them. The room was intimate, but the big windows made it appear rather large. The walls were bright yellow and gold and covered with pictures of the Tuscan countryside. Their table was set with flower-patterned china and crystal glasses that sparkled in the reflection of the candles. She had never dreamt of dates like this one, but tonight she felt like a princess. She couldn't help but wonder how every moment with Jim kept topping the previous one. This was almost too much.

- So do you like it?

Jim sat down and looked at her with a pleased and curious smile. Pam felt a lump in her throat. She couldn't believe how pure happiness could actually hurt a little. She tried to tear her eyes from the gorgeous surrounding. How could she begin to express what she felt? For so long all she had wanted to do was to just be with Jim, to have the pleasure of his company. She hadn't really thought about dating Jim, how it would be a whole different ball-game than the ice-hockey games and pub-dates she'd have with Roy. This room, these flowers, and this man – it all changed the perception of who she thought she could be. In Jim's eyes, this was what she deserved.

- I….I….there are no words.

She struggled to find her voice. Jim looked at her with a huge smile and leaned over to take her hand.

- Hehe…pjuh….I'm glad.

She looked at him, awe and admiration all over her face.

- I….just don't know what to say.

- You don't have to say anything.

- Oh yes, I do.

- Hehe…okay.

- This is oh so beautiful Jim. Most fancy date ever, definitely. When did you arrange for all this?

- Earlier today.

- They could do all this so fast?

- Looks like it. I'm so glad you liked it. I was afraid it might be too much.

- Too much? Maybe, but it's too much in a good way.

- Hehe…is that even possible?

- I mean. You didn't have to do all this…just for me.

- Just for you. Are you kidding? You deserve this and so much more. I'd taken you do dinner in Paris if I had the time and money to do so.

- Hehe…..wow. You were not kidding when you said you were romantic.

- Hehe….no.

- This is fantastic Jim. Thank you.

- You are more than welcome.

They ate a lovely dinner and drank wine. The conversation flowed easily. Jim was relaxed and seemed proud that he'd created the perfect evening for her. They exchanged warm glances and ate slowly while talking about everyday stuff. She couldn't help but notice the distinct difference between the Jim across the table and office-Jim. Earlier today he'd tried to hide how uncomfortable he was, but she had known. He probably knew she knew. She looked around at her beautiful surroundings and tried to fight the urge to bring up what had happened earlier. There really was no need to bring in Karen right now, in this perfect room, over this perfect dinner, but she couldn't help it. She wanted to know what Jim was thinking.

- So work was crazy?

She could see how his demeanour changed. He looked to the door as to will the waiter to interrupt them. The door remained closed and he turned his face towards her.

- Yeah, I guess so.

- I'd say. Michael was even more intense than he usually is. For once I was grateful that Dwight is unable to turn down an opportunity to help him.

- Yeah. I owe him one.

Jim's voice was low and robbed of lightness and humour. This was the same Jim she'd seen at the office, and although her instinct told her not to push the matter, she desperately wanted him to open up to her.

- Are you okay Jim?

He looked at her, trying to pretend she had surprised him with her question.

- Yup, absolutely.

- Are you sure?

She fixed her eyes on his face, willing him to be honest with her. He tried to hold on to a content façade, but his roaming eyes gave him away. She leaned forward a little and took hold of his hand; gently stroking it like she'd done in the stairwell. Eventually he looked at her.

- I want to be. I mean, I am.

- Listen Jim, it is okay to have bad feelings about what happened today. You just broke up with someone.

- Yeah, I know. But this, being with you, finally, it's so amazing and I don't want anything to ruin that.

- It won't. I promise.

- But it's not fair to you. I mean...all this stuff going on with Karen.

- Don't worry about it.

The moment Jim had started to talk about her, she regretted the topic. She suddenly realised she didn't want to hear anymore about the beautiful brunette. Jim was right, this wasn't really fair. It wasn't fair that he had left and it wasn't fair that he'd come back with her. It wasn't fair that she was a cloud on their blue sky. She let go of his hand and took a sip of her wine.

In the car on their way home the conversation had shifted back to carefree and fun, but the magic they'd both felt earlier was gone. Pam had shed the imaginary princess tiara back at the private dining room. Life wasn't a fantasy. Pam looked over at him and thought about how familiar he'd become already. He was hers. Sitting there in his car, it felt like the most natural and obvious thing in the world. He was hers. Things needed to be addressed and it wasn't a perfect situation, but it would get better. He was hers.

They had agreed to stop for ice cream on their way back. Jim had insisted on a place he drove past everyday on his way to work. He promised her they had the best ice cream he'd ever tasted. Pam had argued that it wasn't really ice cream weather, but curiosity had made her agree to have some. She wondered what Jim's idea of perfect ice-cream was. As they climbed out of the car Pam noticed that the pavement was finally dry. Above them a few prying stars snuck a peek through the ever changing clouds. Jim came round the car and took her arm. Well inside she decided on strawberry and vanilla, and Jim wanted chocolate and vanilla. The counter was full of exiting flavours and they both gave each other a knowing smile as they picked what others would have considered the most boring choice. Walking out in the crisp evening air they found two dry chairs and a table.

- Mmmmm….this is really good. How come I've never known about this place?

Pam looked at Jim quizzically.

- I didn't know about it either, until I moved back.

- Oh…

- I've always lived on the other side of town, and I've never driven past this place before.

- So where do you live now?

- Just around the corner, down there.

Jim pointed and Pam knew she needed to see his place. She'd never been there. Once she'd been at his old condo, the one he shared with Mark, but that felt like a lifetime ago. He lived alone now, that much she knew.

- Can I see it?

- Sure. Maybe we can do a movie at my place tomorrow.

- No. I mean now.

- Now? You sure? It's getting late?

- Yeah. Just for a little while.

His apartment complex looked rather new. Fresh flowers and new door signs on every floor. Jim lived on the third. There was an elevator, but Pam wanted to walk. His hallway was a bit messy. She removed her shoes and walked in. His living room wasn't that much bigger than hers, but his kitchen was relatively large. The whole apartment was light and the many windows made it appear spacious.

- So what's the verdict?

Jim stood watching her with a curious smile.

- It's really nice. I like it.

- You want a cup of coffee or tea?

- Yeah, sure. Tea would be nice.

She walked over to his book-shelf. Some old classics. They had writings in them. Looked like college material. She glanced around the room. There were few things on his walls. Then her eyes caught something familiar. There on the wall, above some IKEA shelves, was her painting. A light grey wood material framed her sensitive colours.

Jim returned from the kitchen with her tea.

- Careful. It's hot.

- Thank you.

- I had it framed.

- I can see that. It's the perfect frame for that picture.

- Yeah. I can't take the credit though, but I asked and the guy at the framing-place showed me this frame. I wasn't sure at first, but now I see how right it was.

- Yeah. It's beautiful. Just the right colour. When did you do this?

- I dropped it off this morning and picked it up on my way home.

- It's lovely.

- Yeah. It is.

They both stood staring at the picture for a couple of minutes, sipping their tea. Pam had felt strangely excluded by the fact that she hadn't been in his apartment until now, but it helped to see her paining there. She would still be there when she left. She put down her tea on the table and took Jim's and did the same. He looked at her. Anticipating. She put a hand on his cheek and leaned in to kiss him, while whispering.

- It's perfect.

He didn't answer. Her lips on his. She could feel him having to catch his balance. She'd always dreamt of having this kind of impact on him, but dreams never did compare to reality. His kisses were warm, but she could feel a tiny bit of hesitation in them. She opened her eyes and took a tiny step backwards. He searched her face. Then, just at the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of something; something small and shiny. Another grey frame, but smaller. It wasn't standing, but lying down on the shelf beneath her painting. She could make out the outline of a dark-haired woman in a summer dress. A jealously she hadn't known before started to race through her body. Who was she fooling? Karen wasn't gone, she hadn't replaced her. Karen was right there, staring back at her. She looked soft and gentle in her black and white dress. This was the Karen only Jim had been privileged to see. She had been there. She was a picture in a frame. She was part of Jim, part of his history. She knew things about him she wasn't privy to yet. She took another few steps backwards.

- It's getting late. Maybe you could take me home Jim?

- Ehh…yeah, sure. Of course.

- I just….

She wanted to confront him about the picture, but she didn't know if she had the right to do so.

- What's wrong Pam?

It was impossible to hide from him. He knew her too well. His eyes were searching hers, looking for answers.

- Nothing Jim. Nothing is wrong. It's just late.

He looked at her. She could see he was struggling on whether to trust her or not. She forced herself to hold his eyes and give him a smile. But it didn't reach her eyes. She could feel it. He saw it.

- Come on Pam. Please tell me.

She broke his stare and turned around. She took a few more steps and found herself looking out over the street.

- It's nothing. Don't worry about it.

- It's me Pam. I happen to know you, remember?

He kept using her name and it started to get to her. It was personal. Jim didn't call her by her first name that often. She could hear him taking a few small steps toward her.

- And stop saying that I shouldn't worry about it. It only makes me certain there's something to worry about.

She turned around abruptly, surprising Jim who looked at her with a worried face. Before she could stop herself she said.

- I have no right.

- What do you mean? You have no right to what?

- To be….angry.

He took a few steps forward as if he wanted to provoke her to continue.

- You're angry?

She didn't answer, only nodded. He raised his eyebrows and did that thing with his mouth to indicate that he had no idea what was going on. She knew there was no way back now. She had to tell him. Tell him that hearing about Karen, knowing about Karen, sensing the presence of her everywhere started to take its toil on her.

- Did I do something? Talk to me Pam.

- No, you didn't do anything. It's not your fault. It's probably just me.

- Tell me.

- Karen is here.

He turned around to see if someone had entered. When he saw no one his eyes returned to Pam. His expression was riddled with insecurity and doubt as he explored her face.

- No she isn't.

His voice was firm but indecisive. Like he wasn't sure if he should press the matter since Pam sounded so determined.

- Do you remember your trip to the beach Jim?

- The trip to the beach? You mean the one last week?

- Yes. Do you remember?

- Of course I remember. How could I have forgotten it? I mean..what you said...

- I don't mean what I said. Do you remember Karen and you?

- Ehh…what do you mean? What is all this about Pam? I'm not with Karen anymore, and you shouldn't worry about her. It's over. She's out of my life, out of our life.

He went over to her and put his arms around her. She wanted so badly to let herself escape into his warm embrace, but somewhere inside a little part of her was screaming. She put one of her hands on his chest and pushed him away. He took a step back.

- She isn't out of our lives. She is everywhere.

- What do you mean?

- Why didn't you want to go to Coopers?

There could have been a million ways to answer that question without dragging Karen into it, but it took only a millisecond for the truth to register on Jim's face. IT was the picture. Karen's soft smile had made it all crystal clear. Pam cursed herself for walking around in a cloud of happiness, jumping ahead, diving head in, allowing herself to feel everything she had bottled up for a year, falling even harder, trusting her heart with a man that up until a week ago was running away from her with the speed of lightening. She was so stupid. Jim wasn't back; couldn't possibly be all the way back already. She'd felt it all along, this part of him that wasn't ready to test the waters, wasn't ready to trust her. Was the photo of Karen a reminder of his escape route?

- Ehh…..what do you mean? I'd already made plans for us at the Radisson. Would you rather have gone to Coopers?

- You went there with her.

She hadn't phrased it as a question. IT was a statement, a matter of fact, an answer to her own non-question. He didn't answer at first, but his face gave him away. Guilty. The whole dinner at the Carmen restaurant at the hotel seemed too nice, too extravagant, too out of context considering the day they'd just had at the office. But she had bought it all, lulled herself into a fairytale of happily ever after; into the belief that they could escape history as soon as they were out of their workspace.

- Yes.

His response was just a breath, barely audible. His shoulders sank and he looked like someone who was just caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

- When?

- On our third date.

The silence that followed Jim's confession left Pam wondering if any of them would ever speak again.