14 Across

NYT Daily • September 5, 2025

It has its X’s and O’s

Answer:

LOVE NOTE

Hint:

Think of a heartfelt message where the letters might symbolize kisses and hugs, often left secretly for someone special.

Explanation:

This clue plays on the phrase "X’s and O’s," which commonly represents hugs and kisses in notes or letters. Here, "X’s and O’s" hints at affection, pointing to a "love note" as the answer. The wordplay relies on the cultural shorthand where X stands for a kiss and O for a hug, making it a clever nod to romantic messages.

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