Page 43 of Code of Heart

“You stay here,” Levi barked, already moving. “You’ve done enough.”

As the situation escalated between Levi and Owen, everyone else went silent.

He bolted through the door, skidding slightly on the tile. He nearly tripped over her abandoned bouquet before catching his balance and taking off down the corridor.

At the far end, he caught a glimpse of her crossing the threshold of the front entrance. Without delay, he chased after her, his long, powerful legs quickly making up for lost time.

Levi expertly dodged people loitering in the corridor as he sprinted, fueled by the adrenaline surging through him. When he surged through the courthouse doors, he spotted her—barefoot, heels in hand, hair flying in the wind—racing across the hot stone steps toward a white sedan.

Taking the stairs two at a time, he caught up to her as she reached her car. Acting on instinct, he reached out and wrapped his arms around her middle.

She yelped in terror, thrashing violently.

Levi cursed and let go, instantly backing off with his hands raised. “Aurelia—it’s Levi,” he said, voice thick with regret. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

But it was too late. Her breaths were shallow and fast, her body frozen in place. A panic attack. He recognized the signs straightaway.

He stayed a short distance away, crouching slightly to her eye level but not touching her. “You’re safe. I swear, you’re safe,” he said softly. “I won’t touch you again unless you ask me to.”

For a few long moments, neither of them moved. Then, finally, her knees gave out and she sagged against the car.

Carefully, he stepped forward, slowly and deliberately. He didn’t want to scare her any more than he already had. “Can I help you up?” he asked with uncertainty.

She didn’t respond with words, but she didn’t flinch when he reached out again, this time gently guiding her to a nearby alcove, out of view, in the shade.

He turned to face her but didn’t touch her again. Instead, he stood still, silently opening his arms in an unspoken offer. She didn’t move at first, the initial rejection cutting and surprisingly sharp.

Then, after a long breath, she stepped forward, hesitant but willing, allowing herself to fold into him.

Only then did he wrap his arms around her, gently pulling her in. He lowered his chin until it rested lightly atop her head, holding her without pressure, only presence.

“I’m sorry this wasn’t the wedding you deserved,” he murmured, voice low and steady. “But before we do or say anything else…can we at leasttryto talk to each other when we’re upset instead of running? A runaway bride was not on my bingo card today.”

At last, she went still, her arms gradually wrapping around his back. The hug she gave him was tentative, but it was stillsomething.

Encouraged, he added, “I think we got off on the wrong foot. I’d like the chance to explain what I said earlier. I think you overheard something out of context.”

He inhaled deeply, unintentionally catching the delicate blend of freesia, jasmine, and a hint of something sweet and juicy—her essence, draping around him like a memory.

“And Owen…” He let out a quiet growl. “He’s one of my best friends. He’s also a dumbass. A kind, loyal dumbass.”

She snorted softly against his chest, relaxing against him by a degree.

They stood like that for a while. Two strangers who’d just gotten married, and are now trying to reset after the most chaotic hour of their lives.

Finally, Aurelia looked up. Her makeup was mostly intact, except where the tracks of her tears had stained her cheeks.

The sight of it tugged at something unknown within Levi.

“I don’t think he meant to do that,” she said, voice quiet. “I think he was trying to make things less awkward. He…didn’t read the room well.”

Levi bit back his disagreement but didn’t argue. Instead, he kept gently rubbing small circles across her back, as she buried her face back in his chest.

“And yes,” she continued haltingly, voice slightly muffled against him, “I’ll try to talk things through next time. I can’t promise I’ll be great at it. But Icantry.”

Pulling her head back again, her gaze lingered on his chest, avoiding his face.

“Good enough for me.” He smiled and hooked his finger gently under her chin, tilting her head up until her eyes met his.