Aidan and Micah both raise an eyebrow as they look at me.
“And how’d you manage that?” Aidan asks.
“Just trying to be less of a cocky jackass. Also, I order Chinese takeout whenever we meet up.”
Aidan chuckles. “That’s a good start. Kendall can get pretty hangry.”
The sales associate walks in and asks how we’re liking the suits. Aidan says they’re great, then asks him about tailoring his jacket. My phone buzzes in my pocket. When I see it’s Kendall texting me, I smile.
Kendall: What do you think about the sonnets I sent you? Are they inspiring your romantic side?
Me: Definitely.
Me: Sonnet 116 knocked me on my ass
Kendall: I don’t think anyone’s ever uttered those words when talking about Shakespeare’s sonnets lol
A spark of insecurity hits me. Was that stupid what I said?
Kendall: I love the way you describe it like that. It’s so honest. And cute.
I smile at my phone. The insecurity disappears instantly.
Me: I’m not the most eloquent guy, so I’m glad you’re taking that as a good thing
Kendall: Eloquence is overrated. Honesty is way, way better
Me: Well, I honestly loved that sonnet. Especially the lines, “Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks, But bears it out even to the edge of doom.”
Kendall: That’s my favorite part of the sonnet too!
Me: Really?
Kendall: Yes! It’s SUCH an epic way to describe the feeling of love, how soul-shaking it can feel.
Me: That’s exactly what I thought too. Like, love is this huge emotion that consumes you.
Kendall: Yes! Exactly! That’s what being in love should feel like!
Me: It feels like he’s saying if that’s not what love is, then no one has ever loved anyone. There’s just something really moving about that.
Kendall: Damn, Liam. That’s a spot-on interpretation. Nice!
I grin at my phone screen, excitement sparking in my chest. I’m talking about sonnets with Kendall, the brilliant and beautiful professor, and it’s actually going well. She doesn’tthink I’m a dumbass. She agrees with what I’m saying and she’s complimenting me.
Kendall: Want me to send you some more of my favorite love poems to help kick up the inspiration for your speech? Shakespeare’s sonnets are great, but there are tons more written by other writers that are even more powerful.
Me: Yeah, I’d like that.
Kendall: Great! It’s really fun talking to you about this stuff
Me: I feel the same way. Thanks for talking fancy love words with a dumb jock like me.
She sends back a bunch of laughing emojis.
Kendall: Don’t say that about yourself. You’re not dumb.
Kendall: I’ve gotta run to class and teach, but I’ll send you more poems later.
