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A long, difficult day of saying goodbye to Jen had left both Joey and Pacey exhausted. But after so much sadness, neither Joey nor Pacey could bear to let the day end without seeing each other. They wanted to check in and offer each other comfort. And their conversation at the restaurant was still unfinished.
That evening, without planning it, Joey and Pacey were both drawn to the same place. Their place. The Capeside docks.
The very docks where, years ago, Joey had run to Pacey. After much soul-searching, she had followed her heart, and sailed off with the man she loved. Now, eight years later, Joey and Pacey were definitely older and wiser. But the feelings of anticipation, uncertainty, hope, affection, and desire - they were the same. Just as powerful and overwhelming as on that perfect summer day.
Seeing Pacey standing by the water, Joey ran into his arms, her smile wide, her eyes shining with tears. He pulled her into a tight hug, and she melted into him. He smelled so good, she thought, plain soap and a new woody cologne. He stroked her long hair, inhaling the coconut scent, which mingled with the unfamiliar jasmine perfume she wore. The mix of the familiar and the new was intoxicating. They felt almost drunk on each other.
For so long, they just held one other, enjoying the warmth of the embrace. And then they were kissing, and then Pacey broke the kiss and held Joey at arm's length, drinking in the beauty of the face he had loved for so long. His favourite face.
Joey smiled sadly, and said, "tough day, Pace."
"The toughest."
"It feels weird to be feeling so sad, but also...so happy." And she half-smiled.
"I know, Jo. A real rollercoaster of a day."
"You took such good care of everyone, Pace. I saw how you were looking after Jack and Grams."
"I was just doing my job -"
"You weren't 'just' anything. You were generous and kind and thoughtful. You were amazing. You are amazing."
Pacey looked down, a little embarrassed.
"You're going to have to learn how to take a compliment, Pace. And how to deal with people being proud of you. Because -"
Joey's fingers traced the line of his jaw, gently lifting up his face so his eyes met hers.
"Hey. Because I love you, Pacey. I'm in love with you. And I want to be with you."
Pacey's eyes were shining now. He kissed her forehead softly. Reverently.
Joey knew this was all he'd wanted to hear for so long, and wished she'd confronted her feelings sooner. But at least she'd realised how she felt before it was too late. She would be forever grateful to Jen for that.
"I love you too, Jo. More than I could ever explain. So, what happens now? I'm afraid there's no lovingly-restored sailboat for us to board this time."
Joey took Pacey's arm, walking back towards their cars.
"Well now, you invite me back to your place, and I regretfully decline even though I really want to say yes, because I have to be back in the office tomorrow. And then we make plans to meet up, in New York or in Capeside, you don't mind which as long as it's soon. And then you kiss me goodbye and say something perfect that only Pacey Witter would even think of. Something I can daydream about while I'm waiting to see you again."
Pacey grinned. "Ok, so no sleepover tonight. Which, yeah, would've been..." he sighed. "Fantastic. But I 'll come visit you in New York, next week. Sunday to Wednesday, maybe, if you can take some personal days?"
"I'll work something out."
They reached their cars. Pacey unlocked his Jeep and checked his cellphone. Joey just stood there, unkissed and disappointed, for a few moments.
Then Pacey spun around with his winning smile firmly in place and said, "Potter? I feel like I forgot something..." And he pulled her into a deep, passionate kiss that left Joey desperately wishing she didn't have to go back to the B&B and set an alarm for 5am.
Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, he whispered: "I think we've found ourselves some of what that dead guy referred to as...such sweet sorrow." And he kissed her on the hand before saying goodbye.
Joey got into Bessie's car and drove to the B&B. But really - really - she floated there.