We're Just Friends: Short Story Prequel to Pam of Babylon #8 Read Online Free Page A

reflection.
    A light tap on the door startled him. “Jason? I’m back.” He washed his hands.
    “I’ll be right out,” he called. She was waiting in the kitchen, and fell back into his arms. He was sorry she did it, hoping she’d come to her senses, counting on her to put the brakes on.
    “Do you want me?” She asked.
    “What do you think?” He repeated.
    “Tell me. Do you want me? I need to hear the words.”
    “Yes. Yes, I want you.” She took his hand but instead of leading him upstairs to bed as he expected, she took him back to the deck.
    “We need to talk,” she said. “If we have sex tonight, it means we’re in a relationship. Is that what you want? I thought you were marrying Pam.”
    “I am. I mean I think I am. It’s not easy being with you, denying how good this feels. But what is it exactly? I know I like you a lot. I care about you. I lust after you.” They both laughed.
    “Is it worth hurting Pam for?” Sandra asked, surprised she cared. Maybe she wasn’t such an evil person after all.
    “We haven’t done it yet,” Jason said. “But I really want you. Badly.”
    “Think about it, Jason,” Sandra said. “Think what it might mean if we did it, and decided we wanted to be together. I have a small child. Are you ready for that? Are you ready to be Pam’s grandchild’s daddy?” Bursting out laughing, Sandra looked at his shocked expression. “Bet you didn’t think of that!”
    Shaking his head, Jason was so disappointed. He wanted to fuck her and call it a day, go back to his boring life, but she wasn’t going to let him use her. He wondered if what he was experiencing was some of what Jack Smith may have gone through; willing to risk twenty – five years of marriage to a beautiful woman for a chance to take Sandra Benson to bed.
    “Well, I guess it’s good you have some self-respect.”
    “Oh, yeah, I’m just bursting with self-respect. This is probably the first wise decision I’ve made in a long time.” She leaned back in the chair and looked up at the night sky, bright turquoise fading to indigo blue, reaching as far as she could see, the sun almost set. Maybe I’m finally growing up.
     

Email messages
    Monday, August 31, 8 am
    Dear Sandra,
    I wanted to talk to you but you’re probably on your way to work by now.
    Last night was good for me in more than just a few ways. I feel like we achieved something special together. It’s weird writing because I don’t really feel that great about us not doing it. (Be sure to delete this after you read it.) I wanted you. But we didn’t give in to what we wanted because it wouldn’t have been fair to either of us or to other people who shall remain nameless.
    What a bunch of bull crap. Anyway, I am anxious to see where this is going.
    And I’m sorry I grabbed you on the deck.
    Yours very truly,
    Jason
    9 am
    Jason, relax. It’s no biggie. Let’s just pretend it never happened.
    9:10 am
    Sandra, it is a big deal to me. I need to sort out my feelings about you.
    10 am
    Sandra, I can’t get you out of my mind. Call me when you can talk.
    Text messages.
    10:04 am
    I’m crazy busy today but maybe during lunch I can sneak outside for a call. We get terrible cell phone reception in the building and I don’t want to call on my office phone.
    1 pm
    Is everything okay? I thought you’d have called by now.
    Email message
    8 pm
    Sandra,
    I feel like I’m stalking you now. I just tried to call you. I hope everything is okay. If I don’t hear from you by nine, I’ll have to take a drive to Brooklyn tonight. Please let me know as soon as you get this.
    Text Message
    8:55 pm
    Sandra I’m getting ready to drive to Brooklyn.
    Email message
    9:10 pm
    Thank you so much for calling. I forgot small children could be so demanding. I hope he’s settling down now and you are able to relax.
    I feel as though something special was developing between us and I’m destroying it. I agree it should have never happened. I’m still not certain