Page 27 of Hacking His Code

And then it strikes me: Chet’s here because this is supposed to be one of my mother’s bad days, and yet, she’s genuinely smiling, ogling my ‘girlfriend’ in elation.

And fuck—I’m also ogling her in elation. Everyone’s looking at Arinessa as though she’s some piece of meat, all of us for different reasons.

We take our seats, my mother seating herself next to Arinessa, continuing the conversation without missing a beat, and honestly, I can’t be mad at how she’s compromising my ‘date’s’ time. She’s utterly charming. I knew my mother could work a room, but seeing her so jovial while doing so is like a drug to me.

It’s not that my mother was never happy when I was a child, but there was always an edge of sadness to her, and every once in a while, a black hole opened up, and her smiles became rare and strained.

Father loved her and did his best to bring her as much joy as possible, but the pain of losing a twin is great and lasting.

Once the meal is served, we dig in, Arinessa watching each of us before making any moves of her own, too afraid to even lift a fork without confirming its proper use.

If only she knew my mother wouldn’t care if she ate cereal with a fork. She’s just happy she’s here.

My father, well, there’s a fucking tear glistening in his eye. He’s looking over at Mother constantly, practically crying because she’s so damn carefree and happy.

I’m literally going to crush them.

Chet quietly eats his meal, a reticent look on his face. It’s not like him to be this sullen or without a jape. Occasionally, his lips form a tight smile before going back to his food.

Maybe he sees through the charade, knowing that it’s going to break my mother’s heart.

I’m such a shithead.

“Oh, honey, did you hear her say she’s majoring in computer science,” Mother tells Father.

“Loud and clear.”

Chet glances up at Ari, a peculiar look in his eyes.

“Maybe you could give her one of those internships you give out,” Mother says. “The paid ones.”

Before Father can utter a word, I cut in with, “Best not to mix business with pleasure.”

God, I wish I hadn’t used the word pleasure.

“Your company is one of the ones I had planned on applying to, but I’d like the same consideration afforded everyone else,” Arinessa says, casting me a glare.

“Of course!” Mother places a hand on Ari’s. “I’ll make sure Rand keeps an eye out for your application.”

It’s hard not to chuckle at how clueless my mother is regarding some things. I don’t even know if she realizes what nepotism is.

Chet sits back, blotting his lips with a napkin. “So, she’s a computer science major. How exactly did you two meet?”

My eyes draw to Ari’s as hers draw to mine.

“I was looking through scholarship applications for a board I’m on, and while she didn’t get the award, her essay was a cut better than the rest, and I asked to meet with her.”

“Oh, what was your essay on?” Mother asks.

“The ethical implications of using technology in criminal profiling,” she says without missing a beat, and I suspect it was the subject of a past paper.

“Wow,” Mother exclaims, “she’s so smart, and Hunter is so smart. Just think of how smart their—”

“You’re right, Ernestine,” Father cuts in. “They’re both brilliant and have their whole lives ahead of them.”

Thank God she was cut off before she started rambling about babies.

Arinessa does an amazing job of answering and deflecting questions, every bit as charming as my mother, who’s been classically trained.