Heart-Shaped Hack (11 page)

Her dad had started calling her “Katydid” when she was two because he said she was cute as a bug, but over the years he told her the nickname had come to mean something more. Kate
did
things. While Chad had always needed outside validation, whether it was in his schoolwork or sports or career, Kate’s drive had come from within, and she needed very little support. She’d once overheard her dad say that his money was on Kate if he had to choose which of his children had what it took to follow him all the way to the Supreme Court. Telling her dad she was giving up her law career to open a small food pantry was one of the hardest conversations she’d ever had with him. Unlike Diane, Steve could easily handle the loss of Stuart. But watching Kate give up everything she’d worked so hard for, even for something she was fiercely passionate about, had been a tougher pill to swallow. All things considered, he’d taken the news as well as any father could.

“How are things going with the food pantry?” her dad asked.

“They’re going okay. It’s been more difficult than I thought it would be, especially at this time of year,” Kate admitted. If Ian hadn’t intervened, she wasn’t sure she’d have been able to remain open through the winter. She couldn’t rely on Ian to bail her out every time things got tight, so she told herself she’d have to work even harder.

“Times are tough for a lot of people. What you’re doing is commendable, so you keep getting it done, okay?”

“I will.” Kate’s eyes filled with tears, and she pretended to be very interested in her pie. It was the first time she and her dad had ever really discussed the food pantry. Maybe he thought if he didn’t mention it she’d eventually come to her senses, but now she wondered if he’d finally accepted it. When they were done eating, Kate took their empty plates into the kitchen.

“More?” Diane asked. She looked exhausted.

“I’ll do them,” Kate said. “You go sit down.”

“I opened a bottle of wine. Why don’t you pour a glass and join me?”

Kate nodded. “Be out in a bit.”

Her phone pinged while she was drying the plates.

Ian:
Happy Thanksgiving.

Kate:
Happy Thanksgiving to you too.
She went into her bedroom, closed the door, and stretched out on her childhood bed.

Kate:
What are you doing?

Ian:
Eating dinner.

Kate:
Turkey?

Ian:
Thai carryout.

Kate:
: (

Ian:
I’m a rebel. And I like Thai.

Kate:
Are you at least having pie for dessert?

Ian:
I’m having bourbon, which is way better than pie.

Kate:
What have you been doing today?

Ian:
Hack, hack, hack, hack, hack, hack.

Kate:
All work and no play…

Ian:
There are no holidays in cyberspace.

Kate:
I bet they can’t hear you scream there, either.

Ian:
You are such a clever girl.

Kate:
Did that make you LOL?

Ian:
I will admit to a chuckle. Nothing more.

Kate:
Tough crowd. : )

Ian:
What are your plans for the rest of the evening?

Kate:
My mom and I are going to do a little mother-daughter bonding over a glass or two of wine.

Ian:
The apple didn’t fall far from the tree, did it?

Kate:
Clearly it did not.

Ian:
I’m ready for you to come home. I haven’t kissed anyone in days.

Kate:
I’ll be sure to give you lots of extra kisses to make up for it.

Ian:
Now there’s something to be thankful for.

Kate:
I’ll text you my flight information on Saturday morning.

Ian:
Seriously?

Kate:
You’re not supposed to be in my computer!

Ian:
I’m not. I hacked American Airlines. Their site is not at all secure.

Kate:
Oh. SORRY.

Ian:
I’m no longer tempted by the thought of accessing your personal information. If there’s something I want to know, I’ll ask you.

Kate:
WHO IS THIS IMPOSTER? IF YOU HAVE IAN LOCKED UP SOMEWHERE, LET HIM OUT RIGHT NOW!

Ian:
You’re adorable. I’m working on my SHORTCOMINGS.

Kate:
You’ve made real progress.

Ian:
I’m still going to access your Victoria’s Secret account, but I can just hack into the website.

Kate:
Yes!

Kate:
I mean, if you must.

Ian:
Maybe I’ll drink my bourbon and put some things in your shopping cart later.

Kate:
You’re the best.

Ian:
Go drink your wine. I will be waiting for you inside the airport on Saturday.

Kate:
Can’t wait.

Ian:
: )

Kate:
OMG, an emoticon! I bet LOL will be next.

Ian:
Look what you’ve done to me.

Kate:
Malleable.

Ian:
NEVER.

Ian:
Maybe occasionally, but only because I like you so much. Saturday I will have you.

Kate read the text twice. The message aroused her. If he could do that to her with his words, she couldn’t wait to see what would happen when they were in the same room together.

Kate:
We’ll see. : )

Ian:
That only encourages me. I do love a good challenge.

Kate:
Then I’ll make sure you have your work cut out for you.

Ian:
I can hardly wait. Good night, sweetness.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Kate thumbed through a magazine while she waited for her connecting flight from Chicago to Minneapolis.

The man sitting across from her was talking loudly on his phone, complaining about the vomiting and diarrhea that had ruined his holiday and left him severely dehydrated. “I swear to God, I didn’t think there was anything left in me, but I barely made it through security before I had to find a bathroom.”

Kate gagged. She did not wish to be privy to this information, not to mention the complete lack of consideration he was showing his fellow travelers by plunking himself right down in the middle of everyone. She got up from her seat and moved as far away as she could. Having been illness-free for only a short time, she was in no mood to get sick again and wondered if there was any place in the airport where she could buy a surgical mask. Her phone vibrated, alerting her to an incoming text.

Ian:
What’s up, buttercup
?

Kate:
Killing time at the gate. I’m going to need a decontamination shower when I get home. The guy who was sitting across from me is trying to bring cholera back. Seriously, it’s like the Black Death up in here. Ten bucks says he’s my seatmate on the plane.

Ian:
Please tell me he didn’t breathe on you.

Kate:
Not directly, but he’s already clouded the whole area with his death mist. I moved as far away as I could. Knock wood, baby.

She was trying to gauge whether she had enough time to dash to Cinnabon when her phone vibrated again.

Ian:
Your flight has been canceled.

Kate:
Wait. What?

Kate looked at the three airline employees. They had moved into the classic huddle, which meant they were discussing damage control.

No.

No, no, no, no, no.

Ian:
Stand by.

Kate listened to the announcement that the flight had been canceled due to a mechanical problem and started to panic. She wanted to get home to Ian more than anything, so she opened the browser on her phone to see if there were any other flights available. Before she could get very far, her phone rang.

When she answered, Ian said, “Okay, Katie, time to see what those long legs can do. There’s only one more flight heading to Minneapolis tonight that isn’t full, and I’ve got you a seat on it. It’s leaving soon, so make your way quickly to concourse F, gate 14. That’s in terminal 2. As soon as we hang up, I’ll text you your new boarding pass.”

“I’ll never make it,” Kate said. “I’m in terminal 3 right now.”

“It’s a bit of a trek, and while I do want you to get to the gate as soon as you can, that plane isn’t going anywhere until you’re on it. I guarantee you’ll be home tonight.”

“I’ll text you when I reach the gate,” Kate said, ending the call and quickening her step.

After a jostling ride on an overcrowded tram, she arrived at terminal 2. F14 was clear down at the end, so she started to run, dodging people. A quick glance at the ticket information Ian had texted showed the flight departure as 7:45 p.m. Kate checked the time. It was 7:42. Disappointment washed over her. The aircraft doors were surely closed by now. In addition to not being reunited with Ian, she’d probably have to spend the night in the airport or venture out to find a hotel.

She expected the gate area to be empty, but to her surprise it was packed. The sign above the flight number said DELAYED. Kate had never been so happy to see that sign in her life, and she exhaled. Maybe she’d make it home after all.

Kate:
Made it to the gate. They haven’t started boarding yet. The flight is delayed.

Ian:
Every flight out of O’Hare is delayed right now.

Kate:
Did you “appropriate” this ticket?

Ian:
I paid for it, but I chose not to go through the “usual” channels to obtain it. Not enough time. My way is much faster.

When they opened the door fifteen minutes later and started boarding passengers, Kate smiled and shook her head when she realized Ian had put her in first class. She made her way to her seat and accepted the offer of a glass of wine from the flight attendant.

As Kate stowed her purse under the seat, the captain made an announcement. “Good evening, folks. Air traffic control is currently experiencing technical difficulties that are delaying all departures. We’ll keep you posted.”

She groaned and pulled out her phone.

Kate:
Just sat down. Thank you for the ticket. First class was not necessary. I would have been perfectly fine in coach.

Ian:
Nothing but the best for you. Chardonnay?

Kate:
In hand.

Ian:
Seat belt on?

Kate:
Yes, but the pilot said there’s a problem with air traffic control. Technical difficulties, blah, blah, blah.

Ian:
Then I’d better unfuck air traffic control so the pilot can get your plane in the air.

Kate:
Oh my God. You did NOT.

Ian:
You say that to me a lot. I am LAUGHING OUT LOUD.

Five minutes later, the pilot announced that the problem with air traffic control had been solved and they were third in line for departure.

Kate:
WHAT KIND OF HACKER ARE YOU?

Ian:
How many times do I have to tell you, sweetness? I’m the best.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

He was waiting for her at the bottom of the escalator. Kate spotted him standing off to the side, and when she walked up to him, his face lit up.

That smile, the one that was just for her, made her heart skip a beat.

He pulled her into his arms and lifted her clear off the floor.

Kate grinned. “You’re unbelievable.”

The look of longing that had been on his face the last time she saw him was back. “I couldn’t wait another day, Kate. I just couldn’t.”

She put her arms around his waist and kissed him. His mouth was soft and warm, and it was all she could do to keep from devouring him right there in the airport.

“I’m glad you’re back,” he whispered, their foreheads touching.

“Me too.”

“Unfortunately your suitcase did not make it home. I’ve already spoken to someone, and they’ll deliver it tomorrow.”

“You think of everything, don’t you?”

“Always.”

As they started to walk, he reached for her hand and interlocked their fingers. The hand-holding seemed more significant than any of the kisses they’d shared. It was intimate, possessive. Like he’d claimed her in some way. He didn’t let go of her hand until they reached the car and he opened the passenger door. Kate was fairly certain Ian would be staying the night, and her hunch was confirmed when he parked the Escalade in the lot behind her building and reached into the back seat for his laptop and a small overnight bag. Kate was already filled with anticipation and couldn’t wait to feel Ian’s arms around her.

“I’m going to take a quick shower,” Kate said after she unlocked the door and set her purse on the coffee table. “There’s beer in the fridge if you’d like one.”

“Do you want anything?”

“No thanks. I had two glasses of wine on the plane. They took excellent care of me in first class.”

“As they should,” Ian said.

He went into the kitchen to get the beer, and Kate headed for the bathroom. After piling her hair on top of her head, she ducked under the spray and soaped herself quickly. Then she dried off, brushed her teeth, dressed, and wrapped herself in her robe.

She couldn’t wait to kiss Ian.

She couldn’t wait to touch Ian.

She couldn’t wait to do
everything
with Ian.

When she came out of the bathroom, he was lying on her bed with his shoes off, drinking the beer. The only light in the room came from the small lamp on Kate’s nightstand.

“I made myself comfortable.”

Kate smiled. “You always do.”

She walked over to the bed, and Ian sat up and swung his legs over the side so that Kate was standing between them. He grabbed the sash of her robe and pulled her closer. Kate thought he might ease her down onto the bed or kiss her, but what he did instead was untie her robe and remove it. His expression was one of raw desire as he stared at Kate in the black babydoll nightie. It had a flyaway front that exposed most of her torso, and Ian leaned forward and kissed her right below the center tie that held it together, pressing his palms flat against the expanse of bare skin.

“You look stunning in it,” he said, his voice low. “I knew you would.” He slowly untied the nightie as if Kate were a present he was unwrapping. Then he slipped the straps off her shoulders so that she was standing in front of him in only the thong.