Page 40 of Code of Heart

Owen’s expression screamed,You are so screwed, when Levi finally glanced his way. He was enjoying thiswaytoo much.

And yes, Levi was absolutely screwed.

The ceremony was set before a simple wooden bench surrounded by extravagant white and cream floral arrangements. Through the windows behind it, the blue sky stretched above lush hills and a distant lagoon.

Owen stood tall and smug, waiting for them to step forward. When they did, he immediately turned his full attention to Aurelia and extended his hand with an infuriating feline smirk.

She hesitated before taking it.

Instead of shaking, he kissed the back of her hand and said, “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. I’m Owen Voss, Levi’s favorite best friend, and, unfortunately for him, your officiant. I can’t wait to tell you all his embarrassing secrets. We’re going to be besties.”

Aurelia huffed an unexpected laugh. Behind them, Levi glared at Owen.

“This isexactlywhy I said it was a bad idea for you to be here,” Levi muttered.

“I’m creating core memories,” Owen replied, deadpan, and gestured for them to face each other. With a flourish, he placed Aurelia’s hand into Levi’s, and Levi was momentarily startled by the warmth of her touch that rushed through him.

So much so that he didn’t realize Estrella had snapped a photo before taking Aurelia’s bouquet. He shook off the strange sense of awareness and tried to focus on the ceremony, only to be distracted by Aurelia’s wide eyes as she stared at their joined hands.

Once they were ready, Owen began.

“We gather here today to witness the union of Levi Lockwood and Aurelia Douro. A marriage built on science, a million questionnaires, and…” he slid a side glance at Aurelia, “…hopefully, a very thorough background check.”

Her brows shot up.

Levi considered smothering Owen with one of the floral arrangements then and there, witnesses be damned.

“May your foundation be friendship, trust, love, frequent laughter…and an abundance of babies.”

Jaw clenched, Levi stared ahead, too stressed out by his friend to make eye contact with her.

“The promises you make today are not just ceremonial but a lasting andverylegally binding agreement. Marriage is built on commitment, mutual support, and,” Owen added with a wink, “the frequent and thorough ravishing of one another.”

Aurelia choked on a breath.

Levi was another step closer to murdering him in broad daylight.

He didn’t need to look at her to feel the heat of embarrassment radiating from her entire being. But when he finally risked a peek, her cheeks were crimson, and her wide eyes filled with stunned disbelief.

“Levi Lockwood,” Owen pressed on, “do you take the stunning, vivacious Aurelia Douro to be your wife, to treat her with respect, worship the ground she walks on, deliver said ravishing promptly, and commit to building a life together?”

Owen looked expectantly at Levi with absolutely zero remorse, eyes dancing.

Despite it all, Levi couldn’t help himself, and with a lopsided smile, said, “Yes, I do…particularly the ravishing.”

Why the hell did I say that?

Aurelia’s blush deepened. Her eyes narrowed…and not in a good way.

“And you, Aurelia Douro, do you take the brooding, virile Levi Lockwood to be your husband, to treat him with respect, keep him in check when he gets surly, demand the ravishing you are owed, and build a marriage that grows with time?”

Levi held his breath, praying she didn’t change her mind.

“Yes, I do,” she said softly, nervous but steady.

Relief crashed over him.

“Rings,” Owen declared cheerfully.