Page 12 of Kiss and Make Love

“So? You’re smart and funny. I see that in you in class all the time. You work hard, there’s no doubt about that. You’re a straight shooter, and you aren’t afraid to be honest with people. And it doesn’t hurt that you’re gorgeous.”

She felt her cheeks deepen in colour. Who didn’t like to be called gorgeous? And all those other things, of course.

“What about you? Would this simply be a quick fuck for you?” he asked.

“Normally, I would say yes. But—cards on the table here—I’ve been pining after you for months.” She looked at the ground, embarrassed of her unabashed honesty. That was new.

“Even though we’re so different?” he quipped, throwing her words right back at her. He knew he had her.

“Yes, and I don’t know what it is, but I feel some kind of pull toward you.”

He nodded. “I feel the same. So, let’s get to know each other a bit, yeah?”

She crossed her arms. “How are we going to do that? We can’t exactly go on dates and be seen together on or off campus.”

“Fair point,” Brett said, a pensive look coming over his face. “Hold on.”

He walked over to his desk and grabbed one of his cards. He scrawled something on the back and handed it to her.

“My personal email. You already have my phone number. Call, text, email, whatever you want. Let’s talk and see if there could be something here.”

“No in-person contact?”

“I’ll still see you in class every week. My office hours are always available, too. Sometimes, you have to be a little sneaky,” he winked at her.

Being this close to him, she could see the tiny flecks of silver beginning to pepper his stubble. The colour made him look distinguished. She wondered what his beard would look like if he let his stubble grow out.

Spencer slipped the card into her bag. “Alright. We’ll try it your way.”

“Now get to class. I hear your professor looks great in sweater vests, and he’s rocking a fantastic one today.” He flashed that megawatt grin at her, and her heart melted a bit as he spun in a circle to show off his purple and green argyle vest.

She left his office and made her way to the lecture hall. The renovations had been completed the other day, and they were back in the classroom they were supposed to be in.

The entire walk there, she couldn’t wipe the happiness off her face. It physically hurt to smile so big. How did normal people do it all the time?

Psychos.

But she was beginning to like the feeling. This positivity, this giddiness. This sunshine in her life.

After class, she sent Brett an email.

From: Spencer Williams

To: Brett Monroe

It’s weird emailing you when I see you in person every week. We should just be able to have a normal conversation, but I’ll give this a go. Let’s get to know each other. And I guess if that doesn’t go so well, we can always resort to a quick fuck. That wouldn’t be the worst thing, would it? A consolation prize.

She was surprised to see that by the time she got home, she had a reply.

From: Brett Monroe

To: Spencer Williams

As much as I know I would enjoy that consolation prize…

Tell me a bit about yourself. Oof, even writing that felt vague and not super helpful. Why don’t I ask you three questions and you can ask me three questions?

1. What made you want to be an embalmer?

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