Marriage

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"She's bitter."
"No, Aaron, she's just a cold winch and you should stay as far away from her as you can get." Jacob had seen his buddy hurt one too many times and this woman was not going to get in on it if he could do anything to prevent it.
"You don't understand, Jacob, she's been through hell and back. It would make anyone seem cold. I assure you, a little love and tenderness and she'll be fine."
Exasperated, Jacob tried another shot, "what are you gonna do when she walks away from you after you make a fool of yourself?"
"I don't know. I'll probably tell her that I'm different, that I won't hurt her if she'll just give me a chance."
"You sound desperate, man. Save your pride. Cut yourself loose before she does it for you." Jacob walked away; shaking his head, knowing his best friend was about to dig his own grave.
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Her palms were sweating. How on earth could he stir up such desire in her? "I won't do it! I won't put myself in a position to be disappointed. Not again." Three years had passed since her husband left with her best friend. It amazed her that she'd known Aaron such a short time and, somehow, the ache in her chest that kept her awake at night was being replaced with a much deeper ache.
Would he ever call her? Would he ever know just what she dreamed? Was he so far out of her league that he'd even notice her? What would a man of his stature want with a divorced mother of three?
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Aaron waited until he saw her leave her station for a coffee break. Maybe today was the day he'd finally get up the nerve to ask her out. He gave her a moment to get settled and asked the secretary to hold his calls.
"Oh, great," he mumbled under his breath. She was sitting across from her friend Amy. He chose the seat facing the back of her head. Even Amy had not noticed his entry.
"Jacob told me that Aaron thinks your bitter." Amy raised her brows in question, demanding a response.
"I'm not bitter, at least not anymore." Pausing to consider just how she felt, Pam sipped her hot chocolate. "I forgave Matt a long time ago."
"So you're actually considering restoring your marriage?" Amy was flabbergasted.
"I never said I was a fool."
"Excuse me ladies," Aaron smiled, "do you think I could get change from one of you?"
"The machine out again?" Amy asked, digging through her wallet for change.
"Yeah, the machine's out of change and I'm out of ideas."
"Ideas for what?" Pam tried to fain only semi-interest.
"Women."
"Break's up," Amy said, quickly getting to her feet and dropping change into Aaron's hand.
He took Amy's empty seat without using the change. "I need some advice."
"I'll try to help," Pam lied. There was no way she was going help him sort things out with some other woman.
"See, there's this girl who drives me nuts." He would have to try this slowly. "I'm pretty sure she knows I'm interested, but she gives me the cold shoulder."
"Maybe she isn't interested in you." Pam couldn't imagine anyone giving him a cold shoulder. "Maybe she's seeing someone else."
"Oh." Aaron's face dropped. "I'm sorry, Pam, I didn't realize you were seeing anyone."
He got up to walk away, Jacob's warning ringing in his ears.
It took a second for Aaron's words to sink in. Her heart was pounding in her ears. As he reached the break room doorway, she managed a slight squeak, "wait."
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Six months had come and gone. With Christmas Day coming to a close and the older children gone back to their own homes, Pam tucked Brandon, her youngest, in for the night.
Aaron waited at the door to tell her goodnight. She didn't want him to leave. He was looking out the window. He seemed anxious to get out and her heart fell.
Wrapping her arms around his shoulders, Pam whispered against his neck, "I'm so glad you decided to spend Christmas with us." Her heart ached to get closer to him. She wouldn't. She'd promised herself not to.
Did she know the desire her breath ignited in him? His control was stripped to a fine thread. "Come, please, and stand by the fire for a minute." He led her there with a trembling hand.
"Are you cold?" Pam was deeply concerned.
"No, Baby, just a little nervous."
She attempted to ask him why, but he hushed her with a forefinger across her lips. It was those simple moves that begged her to share herself with him. What would he think if he knew she wanted to kiss that finger, his hand, and his lips with such passion? She wouldn't stop it there. She knew she wouldn't and refrained from moving.
Music began to play, violins. Aaron pushed back the curtains to reveal the source. Just outside the window, three men played 'I'll be home for Christmas' like Pam had never heard it played.
"I want to be home every Christmas." Aaron kneeled, the fire spraying orange light across his handsome features.
Her left hand shook violently as he took it in his. "I want home to be with you, Pam."
© Joyce Pool

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