Page 59 of Hacking His Code

“There’s something I want to tell you,” I say shyly. “If we’re keeping secrets, mind keeping another?”

“What is it?”

“Hunter is…so amazing. Everything about him. I know you probably think I’m saying this because he’s a rich Davies, but that’s not it.”

“You don’t strike me as the gold digger type, and trust me, I know how to spot them.”

“It would be easy if this were just about money,” I chuckle dryly. “This…hurts.”

Her face grows serious, and her hand reaches across the table, grabbing mine.

“Arinessa, you listen to me. I made the mistake once of not telling someone I loved how I felt about them, and it led to chaos you can’t even imagine. Before you leave, you better tell my son how you feel, regardless of the consequences. I promise you, you’ll regret holding it in.”

“Oh, my heavens—is that Ernestine Whitmore!” a voice cries out.

We look over to see an older woman, her hand covering her mouth. A little boy tugs at her arm.

“Grandma, I want donuts! Not some fancy pancake. Do-nuts!” the boy pleads.

Ernestine flashes a toothy grin. “Why, hello. It’s not too often I get recognized.”

“Who could miss you!” the woman says in disbelief. “You’re like royalty. Could you sign something for me?”

“Absolutely.”

“Grandma—I’m hungry!” the boy whines.

“Just-just give me a moment, dear. Imagine how you would act if Spiderman were here.”

She digs in her purse, pulling out what looks like a little notepad she uses for her grocery list, turns to a fresh page, then hands it to Ernestine. “Could you make it out to Elenor?”

Ernestine smiles, taking a pen from her clutch, and positions the notepad to begin signing. By now, the child is in a fury that his grandma stopped on the way to breakfast, and smacks his hands down angrily on the table.

My mimosa tips over, drenching me with the orange delight. Ernestine, however, managed to catch her own glass with her right hand, never taking a break from signing with her left.

To be honest, it was a more impressive feat than any of the acting I’ve seen her do in the movies.

“Hughie! Look what you did!”

The child glares up at his grandma, pleased with himself.

The woman’s face contorts in horror. “I am so sorry—”

“It’s fine,” Ernestine assures her.

“Her outfit—”

“Is replaceable,” Ernestine cuts in. “And look on the bright side, now you have quite a story to tell your friends.”

I already liked Ernestine, but now, I adore her. She’s down to earth, completely unlike what I would expect a woman with her accomplishments to be like.

She hands the small notepad back to Elenor. “Here ya go.”

After they leave, Ernestine turns to me. “Why don’t we head back to the tower. You can get cleaned up and continue on your mission, and I’ll act charmed by you.”

“Okay…I do want you to know that I’m sorry for any deception.”

“Oh, no reason to be. I don’t blame you for taking the job, and I sincerely hope you get something out of it.”