Pam doesn’t hang flyers; she doesn’t make a big announcement. She tells Michael, because he came last time, and her three friends from the office. The word gets around, and more people show than last time. Oscar and Gil give a little constructive criticism, even. Michael cries. Kelly hugs her. Phyllis and Bob Vance buy her picture of shadowed roses – an actual picture, taken with her new, fancy digital camera. Angela apologizes the next day ("I had…company").
Jim and Karen wonder what everyone else knows that they don’t.
Karen takes a sick day to prepare for her parents visit the coming weekend. Jim makes his move, and sits with Pam, Oscar, Kevin, and Phyllis at lunch.
"Shut. Up. You cheated!" Kevin argues (Oscar had won four consecutive rounds of paper football; Pam can’t remember the proper name, but knows it’s a big deal).
"Face it, Kev. I’m younger, faster, and can send my balls further than you." Oscar grins, waiting for the final touch.
"Thaaat’s what she said!" Pam and Phyllis offer at the same time, collapsing in a fit of laughter. Pam leans into Phyllis as she snorts – not just a snort like the one she shared with Jim when they broke Andy’s brain (she felt so stupid for letting that afternoon give her any hope at all); a full on, pig-rolling-in-the-mud snort.
Jim’s eyes go wide, and he braces himself for the teasing he’s sure Pam’s about to endure. Instead, Kevin makes a few snorting noises, and soon the group’s red-faced with laughter. He nibbles his sandwich.
She cares about Jim. Really, she does. It’s just hard to let herself care for him. He’s unpredictable, selfish, and, lately, way too stuck-up for his own good. Mine, too. I don’t want that. I don’t need that drama.
A couple of months later, Oscar invites her to join him and a few friends for drinks after work.
"I don’t think so; I’m a light-weight! Wouldn’t be any fun for you guys," she offers.
"Not taking ‘no’ for an answer, Pam. C’mon. Go put on that hot, red shirt of yours and the black pants that make your ass look awesome; the place is a little more upscale than Poor Richard’s." He drags her, both laughing, by the arm out of the office.
Jim and Karen leave a few minutes later. He covers his mouth, coughing, when Karen reaches for his hand in the elevator.