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

who’s to blame. You said if I kept harping on it you wouldn’t speak to me again, but it’s important that we sort through how it unfolded so it doesn’t occur again. If we are going to be friends, we need to keep things completely platonic.
    Text messages
    10 pm
    Jason, so now I’m the temptress, is that what you’re saying? That is really unfair. If I remember correctly, you grabbed me and started to kiss me. Am I wrong?
    10:10 pm
    Sandra, no, I’m sorry, you’re not wrong at all. You were dressed so provocatively, and when you leaned in for a hug, I guess I just lost control.
    10:10 pm
    Sweat pants and a t-shirt is provocative? Give me break.
    10:11 pm
    You’d look good in a paper bag.
    10:11pm
    Whatever. Let’s call it a day, Jason. Obviously being friends isn’t going to work and I really looked forward to taking that boat ride!
    10:12 pm
    If I promise to behave myself, would you reconsider? You have to believe me that I have never done this before. I was one hundred percent faithful to my wife, Emily.
    10:20
    I guess you must have called it a night. I hope we’ll talk tomorrow. Have a good night.
     

Tuesday, September 1
    Sitting at her desk, Sandra was having difficulty concentrating on work because she kept thinking about Pam. This thing with Jason, the flirtation and now his persistent emailing and texting was getting out of hand. Falsely believing she could handle him, that she’d beable to withstand the attraction she felt for him, she didn’t know if she could unless he promised to be in control.
    That night on the deck with Jason proved how lonely she was. It wasn’t just Jason she wanted; it was the arms of any man around her. Knowing how vulnerable she was, calling Pam as an effort to stay in a relationship might help Sandra resist Jason. Reaching for the phone, her intercom buzz surprised her so much the phone went flying in the air.
    “Oh for heaven’s sake!” Getting up to retrieve it, the voice of the receptionist came over the speaker.
    “Mr. Bridges on line two, Miss Benson.” Sandra frowned, picking the phone up off the rug.
    “Alison could you take a message? I was just getting ready to make a call.” Now she was certain she had to call Pam. It would be impossible for her to succumb to Jason’s pursuit if she was seeing Pam again.
    “Miss Benson he’s insisting I put him through.”
    “You’ve got to be kidding me. I’ll take the call.” She sat back down and pressed a flashing button. “Jason?”
    “Hi, I’m sorry, Sandra.”
    “Don’t ever do that again. This is my place of business and I’m trying to work.”
    “I know, I needed to talk to you and was afraid you were putting me off.” Sandra had her first suspicion of fear.
    “Jason, I think perhaps we need to put an end to this friendship. I’m feeling threatened by you now and I don’t like it.”
    “Oh, no, I swear to you I’d never do anything you didn’t want me to do. If you’d rather I didn’t call you again, I won’t.”
    “Well, for starters, how about you don’t insist on talking to me when my secretary tells you I’m unavailable?”
    “Of course, I’ll never do it again.”
    “Goodbye Jason. I have an important call to make.” To Pam. Hanging up the phone without waiting for his response, she quickly dialed Pam’s number.
    “Alison, I’m on a call. If that gentleman calls again, hang up on him if he persists.”
    “Yes, Miss Benson.” Pam’s phone rang through to an answering machine. Disappointed, Sandra hung up without leaving a message. What was there to say? I almost had sex with your fiancé, please call?
    First Jack’s unfaithfulness, then Dan marrying Pam’s daughter, now Jason flirting with Sandra, inviting disaster.
     

Tuesday night, 8 pm
    Valarie was gone, Brent was in his little crib, and Sandra was on the deck reading when her phone rang. Hoping it was Pam returning her call from earlier that day, disappointment set in when she saw Philadelphia, PA on the screen.