FARMS?
No, I already know there’s no M.
FARTS?
I snort out loud, then shake my head at myself. Grow up, Emily.TheNew York Timesisn’t going to make FARTS a Wordle answer. Plus, the A is in the wrong spot.
I stare at the screen for a few more seconds before I remember I’m running late. I swipe open my camera and switch it to selfie mode to quickly check my reflection—yep, same as always: hazel eyes, long brown hair, tons of freckles—then pocket my phone and hurry into the restaurant, where I find Arjun waiting by the door. He’s just as cute as his photo and nicely dressed in a button-up shirt and dark pants. We do that awkwardly cheerful, “Excuse me, are you—?” “Oh, yes, of course, so nice to meet you,” and then we approach the hostess for a table. We don’t have to wait at all, thank goodness, and we’re taken to a table near the window.
“Your server will be with you in a moment,” the hostess says.
As Arjun and I settle into our seats, I look around the restaurant, which is surprisingly full for a weeknight.
“Busy place,” I say, shaking my napkin onto my lap.
“Super busy,” Arjun says.
We smile at each other for a brief, slightly awkward beat.
“Er—so,” I say brightly. “What do you do for work?”
“Engineering,” he says.
“Oh, right.” I smack my forehead with my palm. “That was on your profile.”
“And you’re a receptionist somewhere, right?”
I nod. “At an auto shop, yeah.”
He nods. “That’s cool.”
I pull a face. “Not really.”
“No, it is,” he says. “I mean, the world needs receptionists, right?”
He doesn’t say it in a mean way, really, but I’m not quite surewhat to say in response. I smile and nod, then another silence falls. Almost in unison, we look to the window, as if we’ll be able to mine some conversation from the quiet Summerside street. Usually, I’m pretty good at coming up with things to talk about on first dates, but my brain feels sluggish today. Plus, a large part of it is still trying to think of the Wordle answer.
R, F, A.
F, R, A.
FRAYS. That’s a word, isn’t it? Like... this sweaterfraysif you put it in the dryer. I know it’s not the right word, because the F and R don’t go at the start, but I could still use it to rule out the Y and S. I glance surreptitiously at my phone, but it would be beyond rude to pick it up right now.
“Weather’s great today,” I say instead.
“Definitely,” he replies.
I try to think of something clever to add, but my mind is totally blank. “Feels like summer is right around the corner,” I say finally.
Arjun nods politely but doesn’t answer. I don’t really blame him.
We’re saved by the waitress, who appears with a notepad and a smile. “Something to drink?”
“Just water, thanks,” I say.
“You don’t want a drink?” Arjun asks.
I shake my head. “I wish. I have to drive back to Waldon.”
