Page 13 of Sturdy & Dirty

Me too, I typed. Just a few more hours. Everything good?

Everything’s perfect, he replied, and relief hit me like a bolt to the chest.

I sagged against the nearby wall, a big dose of reality setting in: this meant a lot more to me than it should, than I wanted it to. Because what if it turned out he wasn’t what he seemed? Or worse, what if he was… but he didn’t want me.

The phone buzzed with another message.

I know we’ll see each other in a few hours, but until then, do you want to play a game?

A smile creeped up my cheeks.

A game?

Yeah, he replied, it goes like this. I send an emoji, and you just answer with ‘yes’ or ‘no’. No context allowed.

Okay, this was fun. I had no idea what it would mean, but I was down to play.

I’m in. Let’s do this, I texted back.

The first emoji to come through was a plate of spaghetti. Was he asking me if I liked Italian food?

Y, I typed back.

Next, he sent a bouquet of flowers.

It was an instant Y for me. I adored flowers. As was clear from my business name.

My phone buzzed, and this time it was a star emoji.

A star? What could this one mean?

Was he giving me hints about our date?

I quickly sent Y, a giddy thrill rolling through me. I had no idea what I'd just said yes to, but I wondered if I even had it in me to tell this man no.

Next, he sent a talking head emoji.

Y.

And a couple holding hands.

Y.

Then an ocean wave. We were pretty far from the ocean, but maybe he was asking about the lake.

Y.

There was a pause before his next message came through. You haven’t said no once. Is your finger stuck on yes?

N, I answered.

Ok, good. Then here’s your next one…

I held my breath waiting for the next emoji. But when it hit my phone, I couldn’t have been more surprised.

My mild mannered, seemingly shy-but-hunky gentleman sent…

An eggplant.

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