Page 46 of The Plus One Contract

Me:Okay, Poker Face. Here’s a random story you can bring up later that will make my parents believe you know me. When I was ten, I broke my arm falling out of a tree because I was trying to impress a neighbor's kid.

Nathan:Now I’m ghosting you.

Me:Shut up.

Nathan:What’s one thing I should never say in front of your mother?

Me:Anything about my future wedding or potential grandchildren. She’s been waiting since I was eighteen.

Nathan:Duly noted. What about your dad?

Me:Act like he’s terrifying. He’ll respect you for it.

Nathan:Anything else?

Me:Should we have some kind of safe word?

Nathan:A safe word? What do you think I’m going to do to you?

Me:I don’t know, Nathan. Maybe tie me up and force-feed me business reports until I break.

Nathan:I don’t tie up my fake girlfriends, Sienna.

Me:No, I mean if all of this gets too much. If we need a minute. My family is a lot. This entire thing is a lot. If we need air or even want out.

Me:Wait…

Me:Do you tie up your real girlfriends?

Nathan:Wouldn’t you like to know?

Me:Nathan.

Nathan:Let’s just say safe words have been useful in different contexts.

Me:Oh my God.

Nathan:You’re the one who asked.

Me:Fine. Back to the point. We need a code word for dinner.

Nathan:Something subtle. You say it. I know we need a second to escape the madness.

Me:Exactly.

Nathan:Pick one.

Me:Bubblegum.

Nathan:No.

Me:Why not?

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