Page 79 of The Plus One Contract

“Thirteen,” I say. “Truth or Dare. He missed and kissed my nose instead.”

“Did you cry?”

“No, but I did tell everyone he had some rare disease.”

“Brutal.”

I lean in, lowering my voice. “Okay. Next one. How old were you when you lost your virginity?”

“That’s bold.”

“You said anything.”

“Sixteen,” he replies smoothly. “In the back of someone else’s car. Romantic, I know.”

I burst out laughing. “Wow. That’s—”

“Don’t judge me. You haven’t answered yet.”

I hold up a finger. “First, I’ll need a detailed description of this car. Was it at least a nice car?”

“It was a Toyota Camry. Beige.”

“Oh my God.”

He shrugs. “We do what we must.”

“Tell me there were leather seats.”

“Cloth. Sticky. Middle of July.”

I double over in laughter. “You’re killing me.”

He watches me, his smile softening as I laugh, something unguarded in his expression now. He’s relaxing. Unwinding. And it’s pathetic, but I feel stupidly honored.

I wipe a tear from the corner of my eye. “Okay, okay,” I say, still breathless. “I was seventeen. In Daniel’s basement.”

“Classy.”

“Hey, at least there was air conditioning.”

He hums. “Points awarded.”

“I think his parents were watchingWheel of Fortuneupstairs.”

“How was it?” he asks, more gently now.

I grimace. “It was… fine? Quick. Confusing. Very educational in athis cannot possibly be what all the songs are aboutkind of way.”

He chuckles. “I think that describes most people’s first time. Disappointment set to music.”

“Did you even have music?”

“No. The radio was broken, but I had the sound of thighs sticking to cloth upholstery. That’s practically a symphony.”

I cackle again, but I can’t help it. Across the diner, the trucker glances up and shakes his head like he regrets ever being here.

Our food arrives too quickly. I’m almost disappointed I don’t get to ask him more questions, but this burger looks delicious, so my disappointment is soon forgotten.

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