Page 47 of Code of Heart

“They’re not onthismenu.”

He paused, then opened his menu and fell silent. Several minutes later, he flagged their server over, a young redhead who looked barely out of college.

“Good evening!” the server chirped. “Ready to order, or perhaps begin with an aperitif?”

“Actually,” Levi said smoothly, “has there been a recent menu change?”

“Absolutely! Chef Perreault recently overhauled the menu with fresh flavors, a new direction, and a very exclusive selection. Everything listed is brand new.”

Levi’s jaw ticked. “Could we have a few more minutes?”

“Of course,” the server said, bowing out politely.

Levi sat there, staring down at the menu as if it had personally betrayed him.

“Sorry,” he muttered. “I didn’t expect them to change everything. This used to be one of my favorite places.”

Aurelia noticed the tension in his shoulders, disappointment in his eyes, and a glimmer of something…else.

She didn’t like it.

“How do you feel,” she asked slowly, carefully laying her menu down, “about ditching this place and going somewhere less stuffy…with better food?”

Levi’s head snapped up, surprised. Then the corners of his mouth lifted.

“I couldn’t possibly say no to my brilliant wife.”

CHAPTER 26

Levi

There was no argument from Levi when Aurelia suggested leavingChez P’tit Chou-Fleur. He had hoped to make a strong first impression, ensuring their first meal together would be intimate and elegant. Her file had plainly stated she preferred more relaxed and low-key places, but he thought maybe, because this was a very special occasion, that she would enjoy it.

The menu change had derailed everything.

Dread had settled in the moment he opened it. He hadn’t frozen like that in years, his brain shutting down at the thought of parsing an unfamiliar menu on the spot.

He could have used Neuronix’sPicTextapp—snap a photo, enlarge the font, or have it read aloud to him—but he wasn’t ready for the conversation that would ensue. Not with someone he just met.

Some truths took time.

When she miraculously proposed going somewhere else, he jumped at the opportunity. As it turned out, the food wasdefinitelyan improvement.

He paid for their untouched drinks and left a generous tip for the server, Dennis. It was only fair.

Following Aurelia across town, he parked behind her along a narrow side street. They walked side by side, the silence stretching between them. Not awkward, but companionable.

Levi found himself wanting to reach for her hand, to anchor himself in the ease of her presence. He unconsciously lifted his hand halfway before pulling it back.

Too soon.

They stopped in front of a slim building with unassuming glass doors. Levi’s brows dipped in confusion. There was no signage. No bustling entrance. And in no way could an entire restaurant fit inside.

He glanced at her, skeptical.

She peered over her shoulder and gave him a small, secretive smile before opening the glass doors.

It wrecked him.