Work Text:
The door opened with a distinct sense of urgency.
“Pam- sorry,” Jim’s voice entered the room, aiming his apology at the camera crew for interrupting. He turned his attention back to the receptionist. “Um, are you free for dinner tonight?”
Without missing a beat: “Yes.” She couldn’t believe her lack of hesitation. It was invigorating.
“All right. Then, it’s a date.” The door closed, and as soon as Jim was here, he was gone. The redhead’s eyes began to well with happiness, her instinct to bite her lip in an attempt to hide the considerable grin forming.
“I’m sorry, what was the question?”
The local Italian restaurant was glowing in the streetlights of Scranton, a subtle hum of conversation floating over the couple as they walked towards the doors awkwardly.
“I hope this is OK,” Jim says timidly. “I’ve heard good things.” Pam nods stiffly, a small smile curving her pink tinted lips.
“I love Italian food.”
“I know,” Jim states smugly, opening the door for the woman as he smirks. “After you, Beesly.”
Pam took it all in as they waited to be seated- the smell of hearty dishes, the rustic walls and romantic decorations, the candles glowing on the walnut tables; and Jim. Jim Halpert . Her best friend. Her date. The sentence felt surreal. He had decided on a smart yet not too formal button up shirt, light blue in colour and the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. There was no tie, a weighty reminder that this was out of work hours- that this was actually happening. “You look nice, Jim.” Pam blurted, an embarrassed flush painting her cheeks as she smiled up at him. The tall man grinned back at her, a gleam in his eyes. The look he gave her almost made her knees buckle. She donned a dust pink, square necked blouse and black maxi skirt that hugged her figure flawlessly- Jim tried not to stare.
“And you look beautiful as always, Pam.” Her stomach fluttered at his assertive compliment, her face reddening even further. She felt like a high school girl all over again- though she never felt like this with Roy, never this happy.
Their table was round, a cream table cloth garnishing the center with a rose and a sweet smelling candle set to the side, and they sat opposite each other. Like a proper date , Pam thought to herself.. The two looked at the menu in silence, nervously waiting for the other to initiate a conversation. Jim spoke first.
“Do you drink red wine?”
“Mhm.” Pam confirmed, just in time as their waiter came to take their order. Jim ordered a bottle of red for the table, clearly wanting to impress his coworker but also needing the liquid courage to calm both of their nerves. An explosion of berry aromas danced across Pam’s tongue as she took a sip, the bold and rich alcohol warming her chest. She almost let out a giggle at the sensation.
“I can’t believe this is finally happening,” the male expressed wholeheartedly. His date couldn’t hide her excitement as she exhaled a small titter.
“What do you mean? It’s only taken, like, 3 years.”
“Try 4,” Jim argued mockingly, using Pam’s laugh as mettle when his large, warm hand covered her petite, dainty one. “I’m really glad we’re here, Pam.”
“Me too.”
The meal went by in a flash, filled with jokes and laughter, flirting and blushes, and just enough gossip about their coworkers to not let it feel like they were back at the Dunder Mifflin reception desk. This was different - they both had to keep reminding themselves of that. This is a date .
Jim paid, of course, arguing with Pam about chivalry as she fought to grab his credit card out of his hand. “You can buy the drinks at the bar” he suggested, which swiftly made the woman hold her tongue as she held in a delighted gasp at the indication that the date was continuing further into the night. The salesman drove them to a bar 15 minutes out of town in hopes it was enough distance to not bump into anyone they knew, and he grabbed Pam’s hand as they walked in. He wanted her to know he was serious about this- no more messing around, no more games, no more third party boyfriends or girlfriends- just them. Together. Finally .
Jim stuck to his word, allowing Pam to purchase them both a beer, and he watched with adoration and disbelief as she carried them over to the table tucked in the corner of the dark establishment.
“Your drink, sir,” the redhead teased with a shy wink as she slid his bottle in front of him.
“Why thank you, ma’am!” Jim exclaimed in response, causing Pam to duck her head in embarrassment as other patrons gave them weird looks. He didn’t even seem to notice, so wrapped up in them , his big, puppy eyes never leaving her face. “So, what made you say yes to a date?” Pam frowned at the question, assuming her infatuation had been pretty obvious.
“I mean…who wouldn’t?” she muttered. “You’re smart, charming…you make me laugh. A lot.” Jim’s eyes crinkled as he grinned. “And I guess you’re pretty cute.” The man feigned an offended gasp, a hand clutched at his chest.
“You guess ?! Pretty cute?! Wow, Beesly. I never expected you to be so ruthless! And here I was, thinking you were totally out of my league.”
“Oh, I definitely am,” she stated, chuckling at Jim’s (jokingly) shocked look. “I’m kidding, Halpert! You know I’m kidding.”
“You may be, but I’m not.” He shook his head. “You are definitely out of my league, Pamela. But you can’t take it back- you said I’m pretty cute. And I’ll remember that forever.” His voice and the way his mouth moved when he said forever rang in Pam’s head for the rest of the night. She could be OK with forever with Jim.
It was well past 11 when Jim pulled his car up outside of Pam’s apartment and stepped out of the warmth to walk her inside. They stood awkwardly outside her door, the woman’s hands fumbling to twist her keys inside the lock. It opened with a small click, but she hesitated before entering, turning towards her best friend that towered above her. “I…” she began, unable to find the words to explain what she was feeling. “Thank you…for tonight. I had a really, really good time.” Jim was rocking back and forth on his heels slightly, and he scratched the back of his head with a bashful grin, unable to hide his blush.
“Me too, it was a great night.” Pam nodded and smiled, feeling her own cheeks begin to flush. “Much better than watching crappy TV for the sake of it and listening to Mark talk about some sport I definitely do not care about.” They both laughed, but the silence after was heavy and uncertain.
“Well…goodnight then, Jim,” the woman concluded, raising on her tiptoes to press a brisk peck to the man’s cheek, trying not to notice the way his ears coloured. She turned to enter her apartment, pushing the door open softly, but was stopped and whirled around by Jim’s strong hand on her arm, and before she knew it he was kissing her. His hands cupped her face, the tips of his fingers running through her waved hair. Pam gasped into the kiss, grabbing his shirt for stability as she pressed her lips into his and tried not to faint. This wasn’t their first kiss- it technically wasn’t even their second, but it felt incomparable, it felt free- it felt right . Jim’s hands lingered around her jaw before he fully pulled away, stepping back with a satisfied grin.
“See you at work, Beesly.”
Pam watched him walk away, catching his eye when he turned back for another look at her, and this time she didn’t even attempt to stop the giggle that slipped past her lips. She waved as he drove away, bringing her fingertips to her lips; were they tingling or was she just that besotted with Jim Halpert?
Jim couldn’t cease his grin, a snort of disbelief leaving him as he ran a hand through his messy hair. He turned the radio up, singing along to the love song played as he drove home.