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Jim sat back, trying to catch his breath while Stacie giggled and buttoned her shirt back on. "See you tonight for a round two," she asked coyly. "Sure," Jim replied. Stacie finished getting dressed and walked out of Jim's office as he put his pants back on. 'Why the hell did I say yes,' he thought, 'That was terrible. I don't think I even like her.' He decided to take a walk out of his office. "If anyone calls I'm out of the office." Stacie noted that down and watched admiringly as Jim walked away. Jim headed over to the art section, pretending to browse through what everyone was working on. In reality, he was going to stare at the empty desk that was Andy's. He had taken the day off to go confess his feelings to Gwen, which stung Jim in multiple ways. But at the end of it he just missed his best friend at work.
Jim reluctantly went over to Stacie's apartment after work. Stacie happily let him in, oblivious to the fact that he wasn't excited like she was. "Make yourself at home," she said cheerily. "Thanks," Jim sighed. "C'mon Jim, it's just some casual sex," he whispered to himself. "What was that," Stacie asked, still unaware. "N- nothing," Jim said. He felt himself shake a bit, worried and unsure what to do exactly. Stacie started massaging his shoulders and he pretended to go along with it. "Jim, you're so tense," Stacie teased. Jim gulped, knowing where this was leading. Stacie gave him a kiss and motioned for him to follow her to her bedroom. He obliged and followed. As he entered her room, he saw just how tacky it was. Her motivational posters, her teddy bear collection, everything. He stopped and just stood in the middle of the doorway for a minute while Stacie was taking her top back off. "C'mon Jim," she said as she motioned toward the bed. Jim took a couple steps forward before freezing again. Stacie said, "Don't be shy," as she took her jeans off. Jim felt his heart thumping loudly as his body filled with fear. He couldn't move or say anything. All he could do is look around the room, and at Stacie, who was looking at him confused.
Finally, he was able to force something out. "No," he quickly blurted. He felt himself go cold, with mixed feelings of guilt and relief at saying no. "I- I'm sorry," he continued, "But I just... can't." Stacie was disappointed, but accepted his answer. Jim walked over and sat on Stacie's bed, beginning to cry. Stacie put her clothes back on and sat next to Jim. "What's wrong," she asked, "Are you scared or something?" "No," Jim began, "It's just." He takes a moment to sigh. "I... don't think this will work out." Stacie felt a bit hurt hearing that, but understood. "I get it," she said. Jim quickly interjected, "No. It's more than just... this." Stacie was confused. "What do you mean?" Jim was quiet for a moment. He began chewing on the inside of his mouth, processing what to say. Before he could finish thinking, he began to sob and yelled, "I love Andy." Stacie was shocked, to say the least. "Andy, like your friend Andy? The one in the art department?" Jim was gasping and unable to speak between sobs, and just nodded his head. Stacie sat there in silence for a moment before getting up. "Have you told him?" Jim shook his head no. She walked over to her window and looked out. "You should. Even if it's just to get it off your mind." Jim was scared at the idea of telling him. "I dunno, I don't want to ruin our friendship or anything. I mean, he's currently confessing to Gwen as we speak." Stacie turned around. "Gwen? I think I know who you're talking about. I don't wanna get your hopes up but I don't think she likes him. She's friends with some of my friends and when we hang out she's always complaining about someone named Andy, who I assume is who you're talking about, and how she finds his attempts to get with her annoying. And honestly just from what I've seen and heard, I don't think Andy even likes her as much as he thinks he does." Jim was a bit surprised. "Why are you telling me all this? Shouldn't you be telling me to move on or something?" Stacie teared up a bit. "Well, maybe. But," she took a deep sigh, "If he makes you happy you should be with him. I love you, Jim. But I know you aren't mine."
Jim looked at Stacie for a minute, stunned. He didn't really know what to do or how to react. "Th- Thanks," he said bashfully. Jim got up and went over to Stacie, pulling her in for a quick supportive hug. "You sure you don't mind me rejecting you like this." Stacie smiled. "Not at all. Can we at least be friends?' "Sure," Jim said as he began to smile. Neither Jim nor Stacie expected this, but saying it was a failure of a night wouldn't be accurate. Jim and Stacie hung out the rest of the night, talking about whatever. Stacie knew the rejection would hurt for a while, but she was more than happy to stay friends with Jim and see him happy than force a relationship and make Jim miserable.