Page 142 of Code of Heart

Isaac threw his head back with a groan as Levi sighed heavily and muttered, “Here we go…”

Isaac’s expression twisted in disbelief. “There’s no way these are real movies. You can’t possibly remember all this unless you’re making them up.”

Owen gasped like he had been personally attacked. “My brain holds multitudes, you peasant. Don’t insult the sanctity of my knowledge!”

Isaac pulled out his phone. “Fine. I’m looking it up.”

Owen crossed his arms and settled back, smug. Grace tried to hide her laughter by turning away, sipping her wine. Ivy made no such effort, openly laughing behind her hand. Levi shook his head and looked to the ceiling like a man praying for deliverance. Aurelia, for her part, was captivated.

She couldn’t help herself. “You two reallydoargue about this all the time,” she teased. “It’s like…weird foreplay. Owen drops a POLmArK reference to get your attention. Isaac gets all scandalized and demands proof. Then Owen puffs up his chest and struts around with his endless movie knowledge. It’s a full-on ritual. I’ve seen it in nature documentaries—it’s a textbook mating dance.”

Ivy choked on her fried chicken. Grace nearly spit out her wine. Levi’s laughter rumbled through the couch where he sat pressed against Aurelia.

Owen and Isaac both gaped at her, stunned into momentary silence.

Right when worry began to creep back in that maybe she had taken it too far, Owen whispered in awe, “I’ve never felt soseen.”

He sat up straight, eyes shining with excitement. “This is basically the plot ofPrickly Love! How did I not make this connection before? It’s exactly like when the nuclear chemist falls for the cactus costumer in the desert—”

“No. Absolutely not.Do not finish that sentence!” Isaac barked, but Owen was already on a roll.

“She’s out there analyzing fallout, and she tells him not to mess with the cacti without protective gear. Buthe’sbuilding a portfolio of naturally bioluminescent cacti—but really, they’re radioactive! And she rants about it, and he just…swoons. Like I do every time you argue with me, Isaac!”

With a gleam in his eye, Owen lunged toward him. Isaac dodged expertly, and Owen landed in a graceless heap on the floor.

Everyone lost it.

The living room filled with howls of laughter as Owen dramatically sprawled across the rug, one fist raised toward the ceiling.

“Mark my words, Isaac!” Owen shouted through the chaos. “Someday, Iwillstar in a POLmArK Romance! And I will tell the epic story of our bromance for theworldto see!”

Levi pulled Aurelia closer, his breath warm against her ear as he whispered, “You fit in perfectly, you know. The missing piece we didn’t even know we were missing.”

It made Aurelia feel…whole.

CHAPTER 58

Levi

Once everyone had calmed down and thoroughly gorged on the mountain of fast food, Levi stood near the fireplace, his expression serious.

“I have some important news to share,” he announced.

All eyes quickly snapped to Aurelia, their gazes flicking from her face to her stomach and back again.

It took a beat for Aurelia to register what was happening. Then her mouth fell open in horror. She shot a sharp look at Levi and shook her head frantically.

He caught on a second later, his own eyes going wide. “Whoa—no! That’s not—that’s not even remotely close to the news I’m sharing!” He ran a hand through his hair, obviously rattled.

Aurelia crossed her arms, a knowing grin playing on her lips. Not that Levi would have been upset by such an announcement.

Clearing his throat, Levi tried again. “What Imeantto say is that I have important news about Neuronix.”

A collective “ohhh” rolled through the room.

“My insanely brilliant wife made a passing comment earlier this week,” he started, his tone dramatic as he paced in front of the fire, clearly enjoying the building suspense. “And that comment has led to something…game-changing.”

He paused long enough for everyone to get visibly twitchy with anticipation.