Page 47 of The Plus One Contract

Nathan:I refuse to say bubblegum in a serious moment.

Me:Coward.

Nathan:Try again.

Me:Fine. What about pineapple?

Nathan:Are we swingers now?

Me:What?

Nathan:You just picked pineapple as our safe word.

Me:Yeah, because it’s a normal word. What do swingers have to do with anything?

Nathan:It’s the universal code.

Me:What?

Nathan:Pineapples.

There’s a pause in his texts like I should already know this, but I stare at my screen, waiting for clarification that doesn’t come fast enough.

Me:Nathan, if you don’t explain this right now, I swear to God.

Nathan:Upside-down pineapples are a sign for swingers. If you see one on a cruise, in a shopping cart, or even on someone’s front porch, it’s like a secret handshake for people who want to swap partners.

I blink at my screen, my stomach dropping.

Me:My mother loves pineapples.

Nathan:…

Me:She has a pineapple print sweater.

Nathan:…

Me:She has a pineapple necklace.

Nathan:Sienna.

Me:Oh my God, Nathan, are my parents swingers?

Nathan:This is a problem for another time, Sienna.

Me:Alright, you pick then.

Nathan:Blackjack.

Me:Why am I not surprised?

Nathan:Do you have a better option?

Me:No.Blackjack it is.

Nathan:Good. Now tell me what I’m walking into.

Me:Chaos.

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