Page 53 of Code of Heart

Not a photo.

Not a book.

Not even a forgotten sock.

And for some reason…it made her sad.

She tried not to—shereallydid—but she frowned deeply, and Levi caught it.

“What are you thinking?” he asked, gently. Not defensive, but curious.

She hesitated, trying to choose her words cautiously.

“Honest reaction, remember?” he coaxed, folding his arms and waiting with an amused smile that didverydistracting things to her pulse.

She exhaled and met his eyes, heart pounding as she took the risk.

“This ‘larger than what I needed’ home of yours is stunning,” she began carefully. “The views are incredible. The craftsmanship is…insane. But…”

She swallowed.

“Ihateit.”

Levi

Levi stood completely still, like a startled possum mid-death-feint.

For several seconds, he didn’t move. No expression, no sound, only…shocked silence.

Then, something shifted.

First, his chest gave the slightest quiver.

Then his lips twitched.

And thenlaughterfollowed.

Big, booming, full-body laughter erupted from deep in his chest and echoed around the stark white walls of the mansion.

It was raw, unfiltered, and utterly unexpected.

Aurelia stared at him, caught somewhere between confusion and disbelief.

She had seemingly braced for a rebuttal or maybe some wounded pride. Possibly even a lecture.

Based on her expression, she hadn’t expected him to laugh like she had delivered the best punchline in the world, and frankly, neither did he. But then again, in a twisted sort of irony…maybe she had.

He couldn’t stop. And the more she stared at him like he had sprouted horns, the harder he laughed.

She crossed her arms, eyes narrowing. “Is that…amusement, or are you having a mental breakdown?”

Still chuckling, Levi finally composed himself enough to speak. “I promise I’m not laughing at you,” he said, wiping the corner of his eye. “It’s just…Ihatethis place, too.”

“You what?” She said in disbelief.

“I hate it,” he repeated, stepping toward her, a grin lingering on his lips. “I’ve never said that out loud before. Never admitted it. But hearing you say it, like you blurted out the truth I’ve been choking on for two years…God, it’s a relief. It’s invigorating.”

She stared at him like he had told her he moonlighted as a fire-eating acrobat.