Page 46 of Code of Heart

Some weaknesses were meant to stay hidden, especially when life had taught her how easily they could be weaponized.

After their server had taken their drink order and provided menus, they sat in awkward silence, unsure of what to say next. She didn’t even glance at her menu.

“So,” she said, not so subtly breaking the tension, “what exactly did Imisinterpretearlier when I heard you say you hoped I got there soon so you could ‘get this over with’?”

If Levi was surprised, he didn’t show it. Calmly, he pulled out his phone, tapped through it, then turned the screen toward her.

The message from a contact labeled as “Ivy” read:“I hope she gets here soon so we can get this over with. There is a situation unfolding that needs to be addressed immediately. I scheduled a meeting for this afternoon.”

Time stamp: 12:30 PM. Before she had even arrived.

Aurelia stared at the screen, feeling the first prickle of regret.

“Who’s Ivy?” she squeaked, trying very hard not to let her voice betray her embarrassment.

No longer cool and collected, Levi hesitated before explaining. “My assistant and Chief Operations Officer. I’m the CEO of a large corporation. If you search my name online, it’ll all come up. Along with some other stuff that probably deserves a separate conversation,” he added with a sheepish wince.

He took a deliberate sip of water and continued. “There’s an issue with a high-profile project at work. One of our employees crossed a line, and it required an escalation to HR. Ivy was updating me and scheduled a disciplinary meeting for this afternoon. The woman we were waiting on...wasn’t you. It was the HR rep.”

Aurelia blinked in confusion. “Then why read it out loud?”

Levi's expression sobered.

“Because Owen, aside from being an overgrown pain in my ass, is also our Chief Security Officer and arrived only minutes before you did. If someone in a significant leadership role needed to be escorted out or access revoked, he needed the heads-up. Unfortunately, this was a serious situation.”

God,she felt foolish now. She may have overreacted a teensy bit over this.

“Oh…Sounds like I made some assumptions today…It was nerves and insecurity and, honestly, a little self-sabotage.” She lifted her glass, attempting to lighten the mood with a half-smile. “Mark this moment down… you’ll rarely catch me admitting I’m wrong.”

Levi laughed, a deep, joyful sound that made her pulse skip. Her thighs instinctively squeezed together under the table.

Focus, Aurelia.

Trying to shift gears, she asked, “So…Owen. What exactly wasthat?”

Levi momentarily shut his eyes and groaned. “Thatwas Owen on his best behavior, believe it or not. He insisted on being there. Said it was for my security, which is only partially true. He’s extremely nosy and dramatic, as I’m sure you’ve learned.”

She chuckled, then turned thoughtful and serious. “One day I’ll look back and laugh about it, I suppose, but right now, it feels like our wedding was a joke.” She shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

“He knows he’s on my shit list,” Levi muttered darkly.

Aurelia teased, “He’s a dumbass, sure. But it’s clear he’syourdumbass. You love him anyway.”

Before Levi could reply, her stomach gave a loud, traitorous grumble. He grinned, green eyes twinkling. “What kind of husband would I be if I stood between my wife and food?”

“A stupid one,” she shot back. Instinct had an apology ready on the tip of her tongue, but she forced it down and opened her menu.

Conversation flowed more easily after that. She was perusing the menu when she noticed Levi hadn’t bothered with his. His attention was solely focused on her.

“You must come here often if you’ve already memorized the menu.”

“I do,” he admitted. “Want recommendations?”

She nodded, and he rattled off several French classics likeTartiflette, Blanquette de Veau,andBoeuf Bourguignon.

But as she scanned the menu, her brow furrowed. “None of those are listed here.”

He frowned. “They’re standard items.”