Jim and Pam left the hotel and walked a couple blocks to Broadway, the heart of downtown. They decided to stop and get some dinner at Jack’s Barbeque after asking the concierge for recommendations on a good restaurant. They both downed a few beers with dinner and Pam was suddenly feeling better.
“What now, Halpert?” Pam asked, as they walked outside. The street was bustling with people and music could be heard from all directions.
“Wanna just walk and see where it takes us?” Jim asked and Pam nodded.
“So Michael was pretty bad today, huh?”
Pam chuckled. “You have no idea,” she said. “I wish I could get my hands on some Riddlin to slip him tomorrow. I am dreading it.”
“Well, maybe we’ll figure out a way to sneak you away from him,” Jim said and Pam smiled.
She wasn’t sure if it was the beer that was lightening her mood or her friend. She realized lately that she felt a little funny every time she saw him. Funny like there were butterflies in her stomach. Funny like it was a little hard to breathe at times. Funny like…. Wait. Why was she even thinking about it? She had a fiancé at home and even though they had their problems, she still loved him. But am I in love with him? She asked herself.
“What are you thinking about Beesly?” Jim asked.
Pam blushed and giggled. “You don’t even want to know,” she said.
“Try me,” he answered and Pam suddenly stopped. “What?” He asked.
“Let’s go in,” she said, motioning to the right of them.
“Seriously?” Jim asked. “Here?”
“Jim, the Wildhorse Saloon is a mecca of entertainment,” Pam said, keeping a straight face.
“Pam. A ‘mecca of entertainment’? Did those words just come out of your mouth?”
Pam giggled. “So I did some reading of one of the brochures at the hotel. But seriously. Let’s go in. They have alcohol and they have a big dance floor. We can make fun of everyone.”
“Lead the way, Beesly, lead the way.”
2 hours, 3 beers, and 2 shots later…
“Please come dance with me,” Pam begged Jim, trying to pull him by his arm to the dance floor.
“If I am out there with you,” Jim said. “How am I going to take pictures of you to blackmail you with later?”
“You,” Pam said, smugly. “Don’t have a camera. Now come on.”
Jim, reluctantly, let Pam drag him out onto the dance floor. There were several people dancing on their own, but a big group of people were doing an organized line dance to the loud country music that was pumping out of the speakers.
Jim leaned down to Pam’s shoulder. “Do you even know how to dance?” Jim almost yelled.
“Watch and learn, Halpert,” Pam said, loudly.
Within minutes, Pam’s limbs were flailing about. Jim could tell that she was trying to keep up with the group of line dancers but her “moves” were nowhere close to what they were doing. She would randomly stomp and clap and then shake her hips. Jim found himself smiling and couldn’t seem to stop.
A few minutes later, the music ended and the DJ announced that they were going to start dance lessons. Pam lightly punched Jim on the shoulder.
“Now you can learn to dance like me,” Pam said.
Jim rolled his eyes. “Oooh,” he said. “You mean I could learn all that for free? Didn’t you go Julliard for years to learn those steps?”
Pam huffed and balled up her fist to punch him but he jumped out of the way in time to avoid her hand.
Jim gave in and tried to keep up with the announcer’s instructions.
“No, Jim,” Pam tried to help. She grabbed his arm and stepped close to him. “You rock forward on your left foot and then rock back on your right foot. Are you even taking this seriously?”
“Pam, the dance is called the Tush Push. I didn’t know I was supposed to be taking it seriously.”
He put air quotes around the word “seriously” and that put Pam into a fit of giggles. She tried to help him out with the next few steps but every few seconds she was falling into him, laughing.
When Pam turned around, Jim quickly moved towards the side of the dance floor. He didn’t want to completely abandon her and he couldn’t seem to take him eyes off of her. And while Pam was correct, he didn’t have a regular camera, he did have his cell phone which just happened to have a camera in it. He snuck a few pictures of her dancing for later use.
“What are you doing all the way over here?” Pam asked, running up to Jim. Up close, Jim could see that little beads of perspiration were starting to form on her forehead.
“This is the best seat in the house. There is no way I could ever keep up with those famous Beesly dance moves. Who knew what affect Brooks and Dunn had on you.” He laughed.
Pam swatted at him but stumbled and missed. Jim could tell that the alcohol had set in.
“You’re drunk, Beesly,” Jim said. “I should probably get you back to your room so you can get some rest before your day of babysitting Michael.”
“One more song,” Pam slurred. “But I want you to come out here and dance with me.”
As if almost on cue, a slow song started. “Ok, one song,” Jim agreed. Twist my arm, he thought.
Pam wrapped her arms around Jim’s waist. Just for support, Jim told himself. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and listened to the song that was playing. He’d never heard it before but he felt like he’d been punched in the gut. The words could have been taken directly out of his heart.
I know if I just keep my distance
You will see what you are missing
And you’ll learn no one can love you liked I do
I look involved in conversation
But I’m struggling with temptation
So tonight as you walk into the room
What I want is to hold you
Cause my world without you is just
Another lonely place to be
And what I need is to hold out
Until you have no doubt
There’s only one love for you and it’s me
So I’ll be strong till you can believe
In what I need
Jim pulled Pam closer to his chest and hoped she was drunk enough that she wouldn’t remember how tightly he held on to her. He didn’t want to let this moment go. She wasn’t his, not even close. But somehow in this moment, she was close and he didn’t want to let her go. He knew she didn’t realize it, but he would have stayed out there for 100 more songs if she’d ask. This is all we’re ever gonna have, he told himself. It was bittersweet for him. He lived for these little moments but when they were over, it hurt. It hurt is head, his heart, his entire body. He didn’t know how he was ever going to get over her.
My impression of what love is
Comes and goes like your kisses
Clear as day when I hold you in my arms
Though I’ll admit that you’re my weakness
I’m gonna fight these feelings
Until you can promise me your heart
What I want is to hold you
Cause my world without you is just
Another lonely place to be
And what I need is to hold out
Until you have no doubt
There’s only one love for you and it’s me
So I’ll be strong till you can believe
In what I need
Pam closed her eyes as her head rested on Jim’s chest. She knew she was drunk but she also knew that she never felt like this. Safe. Warm. Loved. For all she knew, Jim looked at her like a little sister, just trying to be protective of her. He was her best friend. But he was holding her. And dancing with her. His arms were tight around her like he never wanted to let her go. And his heart seemed to be pounding like hers was.
Maybe I should see if he wants to come back to my….. oh my God, she thought. I am drunk. Was she actually going down that road again? The only thing she should be doing is going back to her room and calling her fiancé. Telling him that she loved him and that she was sorry for the fight they had. Even though it wasn’t her fault. But wasn’t that the story of her life? Apologizing for things that weren’t her fault? Just so Roy wouldn’t be in a bad mood and make her life more miserable. She thought it was pathetic that she dreaded 5:00 on Friday afternoons and couldn’t wait until 8:00 on Monday morning.
The song ended and the two of them stayed locked in an embrace for a few seconds until the next song, a faster one, started.
“You sticking around to dance some more?” Jim asked her as they pulled away from each other.
Pam smiled and shook her head. “I think you better get me back to the hotel.”
Author's Chapter Notes:
So, I hope this doesn't let anyone down. I got them on the dance floor and then kinda got stuck.
Chapter End Notes:
One more chapter to come... an epilogue if you will.
The song is by Julie Reeves and it's called "What I Need". I love it and feels it fits almost perfectly.
The song is by Julie Reeves and it's called "What I Need". I love it and feels it fits almost perfectly.
