Free Heart-Shaped Hack by Tracey Garvis Graves Page B

slick already. I have got to get the Shelby into storage.” He set the bags on the kitchen counter. “Hungry?”
    It had been over twenty-four hours since she’d eaten anything, and her stomach had started to rumble, which she took as a positive sign. “Yes.”
    Ian threw another log on the fire and gave it a poke before disappearing back into the kitchen. The clinking of silverware and dishes followed, and he returned with two plates on which sat a grilled cheese sandwich and a cup of chicken noodle soup.
    “This is perfect,” Kate said, taking one of the plates from him. “It’s actually the only thing that sounds good to me.”
    “I thought it might. There’s plenty more to heat up for dinner later. I brought a few other things too, in case you want something different. And just so you know, it’s not exactly what I’d envisioned, but I’m still going to consider this our third date.” He ducked back into the kitchen for a glass of orange juice for Kate and a Coke for himself.
    “What did you have planned for us?” she asked.
    “I’d made three reservations: seafood, steakhouse, Mexican. When I went to the food pantry yesterday morning, I was going to ask what you preferred. Then after dinner we were going to see a movie—one of those romantic comedies you like so much. On our way home we’d stop for drinks or dessert—your choice. Naturally you’d choose drinks, and I’d ply you with chardonnay in a halfhearted attempt to convince you to change your mind about what might happen at the end of our third date.”
    “I wouldn’t have changed my mind, but that sounds like a great date. I’m sad it didn’t happen.”
    “That’s okay. We’ll go as soon as you’re feeling better.”
    The gently falling snow and the fire’s glow made the room feel extra cozy. Kate sighed with pleasure. When they were done eating, she looked over at Ian and smiled. “You really are a superhero,” she said. “I feel much better.”
    He pressed the back of his hand to her forehead. “I don’t need that fancy ear thermometer to know your fever’s gone, at least for now.” He took their plates into the kitchen. When he returned, he had a phone in his hand.
    “I brought you something.”
    Confused, Kate took the phone from Ian’s outstretched hand. “I already have a cell.”
    “I only want you to call me from this one. My number is already programmed in.”
    “Will this ping the Batcave?” She kept her tone light, but she knew this signified a turning point in their relationship.
    He smiled. “It will ping me, and I will always answer you.”
    Kate examined the phone. It looked like a smartphone, but it was stripped-down and very basic with no noticeable bells and whistles.
    “It’s got data and a halfway-decent camera,” Ian said. “I can track it and wipe it remotely if you lose it or it gets stolen.”
    “It’s disposable, isn’t it?”
    His smile faded and his expression turned serious. “Only because I’m overly cautious.”
    “It’s okay.”
    “It’s just that if you’re sick or you need anything, I want you to be able to get ahold of me.”
    Kate nodded. “Ian, I understand.” She had come to the realization that being with Ian meant accepting him on his terms, and for now she was willing to do that. She was starting to suspect there might come a day when she’d have to reevaluate and make a choice.
    “You were right. If I wanted to reach you, I could have called. Next time I will.”
    She slid the phone into the pocket of her sweatpants and motioned toward the window. “Looks like it’s really coming down out there. You should stay here again tonight. I’d hate for you to be out driving in this. The kissing ban is still firmly in place though.”
    “You don’t know how much I’m looking forward to that being lifted.”
    “Me too, Ian. Me too.”
     
    Kate’s fever came back that night, shortly after they finished eating dinner. She’d started shivering and her head