Page 61 of Code of Heart

“I like waffles…” She opened her mouth to argue, but Levi cut her off. “…and no, they are not the same as pancakes.” Levi crossed his arms defiantly with a petulant scowl.

“It’s literally the same batter.”

“Incorrect,” he said flatly. “This batter is only appropriate for waffles.”

“You can’t be serious.”

“Dead serious. We even ask during interviews at Neuronix what they prefer. If someone says ‘pancakes,’ they’re bumped to the bottom of the list.Waffles are the only correct answer.”

Her jaw dropped. “That’s no way to conduct business!”

“The only exception would be if they say pancakes are acceptable only when used like bread in a breakfast sandwich. Then they’re hired on the spot. Otherwise, pancakes are banned.”

She gawked at him. “Do you at least like bacon?Please tell me you like bacon,” she pleaded.

Levi gave a dramatic sigh. “Of course I like bacon, I’m a man, damn it. But…” his eyes danced as he popped a few crispy pieces in his mouth, “…crispy bacon is an atrocity. The sound of the crunch alone makes me cringe.”

“An atrocity you don’t seem to mind right now.” Aurelia crossed her arms and glared at him.

“Because it’s bacon. Only serial killers would say no to eating bacon.” He winked. “Plus, my wife made it. I’m obligated to eat it even with the pancakes.”

Aurelia eyed him skeptically. “I assume you drink your coffee black, too.”

He playfully cocked his head. “Does my wife prefer her sugar and cream with a splash of coffee?”

She pointed a spatula at him. “Let me guess…you also think pasta shapes taste different.”

He froze. “Each shape holds the sauce differently—of course they taste different!”

Aurelia raised both eyebrows high in a silent challenge.

Levi sighed ruefully. “My wife is a food tyrant.”

CHAPTER 31

Levi

Levi had offered to clean up after breakfast and, much to his surprise, Aurelia agreed…though not without a begrudging look as she handed over the spatula. She disappeared into the bathroom to shower while he rolled up his sleeves and got to work wiping down counters and rinsing pans, the scent of bacon still lingering in the air.

He found himself smiling, lost in the memory of their earlier banter. The morning had gone smoothly than he expected. It was so light, easy, and natural. That debate over pancakes was somehow the perfect distraction from what could have been an unbearably awkward morning-after.

He still couldn’t believe how good she looked fresh out of bed—sleep-ruffled, barefoot, in those clingy shorts and matching camisole. That had branded itself into his memory whether he wanted it to or not.

The pancake to the face was probably the only reason he snapped out of staring at her long enough to speak.

As the sink gurgled with suds, Levi reached for his phone to check his messages. He had ignored them since the ceremony yesterday.

Vaguely remembering Owen had tried calling him, he realized he had completely forgotten about it. Which meant there were likely a disturbing number of notifications waiting.

He steadied himself as he accessed his phone.

He definitely wasn’t wrong.

The texts were endless…and mostly from Owen, who had entered a state of full-blown panic.

Levi ignored his email app entirely. He didn’t need that kind of existential crisis today. He popped in an earbud and turned on the accessibility voice assist to help fly through the flood of messages while Aurelia was still in the shower. There was no way he could read this many in time but chose to focus on the congratulatory texts from Isaac and Ivy.

There was also one from Grace inviting them over for dinner the next night to celebrate. Levi knew it wasn’t just about celebration; they were nosy, especially if they had seen Owen’s video from the day before. He shifted to the voicemails, unease prickling at his skin.