"So," Stina began in a teasing voice.

"Oh, don't even start with me. You have no leg to stand on!" I shot back.

"What are you talking about? I have a boyfriend at home," Stina argued.

"Mmhmm, I wonder if he'll be able to tell that you just spent the night flirting with a handsome stranger.

"We weren't flirting," Stina declared. "But if we were, it would have just been some harmless fun."

"So you admit it was fun," I poked.

"He was so cute," Stina gushed.

"Harris told me that Jay thinks you are cute too."

"Sadie, I'm in a relationship."

"Mmhmm, the same one you have been in for ten years that you are bored of, and I can't help but notice that you two haven't married yet."

"Stop, Sadie. Matt and I are comfortable. I don't need you or some handsome blue-eyed man disrupting that."

"Well, I can say that when Harris and I kissed, my toes curled. When is the last time that happened for you?"

"Why do you hate Matt so much?"

"I've told you; I don't hate Matt. I think you are settling."

"So, what? I should throw away ten years of a relationship on a random guy I met at a baseball game?"

"What if he isn't random. What if in some other universe you guys were together and happy. What if it is fate that you are pulled together here and now?"

"Oh, here we go again. You've been acting crazy about love for a month. Just leave well enough alone. Matt and I are comfortable."

"Comfortable, that's a word I always hear in wedding vows," I mumbled to myself.

"Sadie!" Stina scolded again.

"Sorry," I sighed. "Just look me in the eyes and tell me you're happy, and I'll drop it."

Stina met my gaze. "Of course I am. Matt and I have a wonderful life together." The cab pulled up to her building as she spoke. "I'll call you tomorrow," she added before pulling herself from the car.

"But you didn't say you were happy," I called after her, only to be met by the slamming door. I sighed and slumped back into my seat as the cab pulled away.

My mind was dizzy from the excitement of the blossoming love for Harris and the cruel twist thrown at Stina and Jay. I knew they belonged together; I knew how happy they'd make each other. Somehow, in this twisted reality, they couldn't see it or was it that they were unwilling to acknowledge it. My body tossed and turned in my bed at the frustrating turn of events. Who would give up on love for comfort? It was so outrageous! Who would give up the warmth that filled you when you were near someone you love?

I let out a heavy sigh and sunk into my pillow further as I thought of Harris. Despite my frustration at Stina and Jay, the thought of Harris still pulled a smile to my face. When my phone rang, I stuttered in answering for a moment, puzzled at the idea that he could sense I was thinking of him.

"Hey," I answered as I tried to stifle a smile so broad it made my cheeks ache.

"Hey, did I wake you?"

"No, I was up."

"Oh, good. Was this enough time to wait not to embarrass myself?"

"An hour and a half, definitely. Now, if you had called in under an hour, that would have been a different story."

"That's exactly what I thought!" I could hear the relief in his voice. "Did I mention how much fun I had tonight?"

"You did. Did I mention how much fun I had tonight?"

"Actually, I don't think you did, but it was implied. So," he added a moment of pause for effect, "when can I see you again?"

"When would you like to see me again?"

"Right now," he laughed. "I promise, I'm not usually like this."

"Not usually like what?" I let an air of jest fill my words.

"You have gotten me completely flustered. Just thinking about you makes me smile. I've never felt like this before."

"Me neither. I honestly thought it was just something people felt in fairy tales."

"Me too!" There was a lull, but it didn't feel awkward. It was a comfortable silence before Harris broke it with, "what about dinner tomorrow? No chaperones this time?"

"Sounds great!"

"I'll meet you at your place at 6:30?"

"I'll text you my address as soon as we are off the call."

"Does this mean that you no longer fear I'm a stalker?" He teased.

"It certainly means something like that," I jested back.

"Hey, Sadie," he let his words linger on the line.

"Yes?" I finally prodded.

"I like you," a giggle accented the admission.

"Hey, Harris..."

"Yeah?"

"I like you too."

"Sweet dreams, Sadie."

"I will now and same to you," I offered before I hung up.

I barely managed to text my address to him before sleep was overtaking me. Just as before drifting off, I realized that for the first time in a month, I didn't want to dream of Shakespeare nor run from this world I had created; I wanted to dream of Harris and of falling in love.

I should have seen it coming. I should have known as I drifted off to sleep hoping for dreams of Harris that I'd awake to the grumble of carriages and the uncomfortably rough sheets of Shakespeare's London. I refused to open my eyes, and instead, I tried to will myself back to sleep. I didn't want to be here; I didn't want to change anything; I wanted to wake up to a world where I had a Harris. But then, as the selfish thoughts parted, I thought of Stina and Jay. Even when separated, they had found each other. I'd be a terrible friend if I didn't do everything I could to repair what they had.

With a big sigh, I pulled myself from the discomfort of the bed. I expected the greeting I received.

Shakespeare pulled open his door allowing his body to sag as his eyes fell on me in my nightgown. "Again," he shook his head.

"I'm sorry, but I was wrong." I pushed past him, knowing it was the only way I'd get his attention.

"I am most aware," he said as he shut the door behind him.

"Forget everything I told you about Romeo and Juliet. True love has to win."

"Oh really, and what caused this change of the mind?"

"I met someone," I sheepishly admitted. "And a friend of mine that had someone is now with the wrong person, just like Juliet and Romeo. They can't end up with Paris and Rosalie! They have to end up with each other or die trying!"

"Die trying!" There was a moment of humor in his eyes before he caught himself and returned to our conversation. "I see, but what about young love being fleeting and love needing to be practical."

"I said I was wrong! Love isn't supposed to be practical; it's love! It's messy and painful but also soft and sweet. It makes people do things they wouldn't normally do."

"Does it now? I had no idea," he no longer masked the toying twinkle in his eye.

"Ugh, I get it. I see why you are here working to support your family. I get why people do all the crazy stupid things they do for love."

"And why is all this hinging on one play of mine?"

"Because people will look to it to explain why people will do bizarre things for love or hate! The innocent love of Romeo and Juliet against the backdrop of hatred between their families. It is extreme but beautiful. The love they have crosses all the boundaries that are stifling them. There's nothing they wouldn't give up for each other."

"This must be some suitor," Shakespeare observed.

"Well, he's no Romeo, but Romeo is extreme. He's just enough Romeo to make my toes curl."

"Make your toes curl? I dare say you have crossed more lines, Miss Sadie," Shakespeare scolded, but there was a glimmer of pride in his eyes. "I will take your thoughts into advisement as I continue my work, but I really must insist that you leave and only return in a proper state," he added as he ushered me to the door.

"Honestly, I hope never to see you again, and I mean that in the nicest way possible."

"You are quite the conundrum, Miss Sadie. One I hope never to solve but continue to draw from."

"And I hope people will be reading your works hundreds of years from now," I smiled back.

"You are very kind," he added with a nod as he pulled open his door. "Goodbye, Sadie."

"Goodbye, William."

"Now you call me William," he murmured to himself as I gave him a final wink.

I settled into the discomfort of my thin mattress and rough sheets, waiting for sleep to overtake me. My mind swung between hopes of returning to Harris and hopes of returning to Jay and Stina. I could be happy either way, I told myself. It was out of my hands and in the hands of fate.