Page 95 of Code of Heart

And when it was over, neither moved.

Wrapped around each other, tangled in sheets and sunlight, the world outside their door ceased to exist.

Levi held her tighter, pressing a soft kiss to her temple.

“We should probably move this party to the shower before Ivy and Grace show up,” she murmured against his skin. “Although, for the record, I’m not even a little bit ashamed if they catch us like this.”

Levi’s laughter vibrated against her chest, and she knew, without a single doubt, that she could spend the rest of her life listening to that sound.

And she really hoped to.

Turns out the banging on the door wasn’t some metaphorical knock of impending doom. It was very real…and very loud.

Ivy’s voice rang out dramatically from the front steps. “Open up, woman! We’re here to save your life!”

Levi moved faster than she had seen him all week, towel drying his hair as he threw on a pair of gym shorts and padded barefoot to the door. Aurelia took the opportunity to finish her shower alone, silently praying she wouldn’t regret inviting these two into her home today.

By the time she emerged—hair wrapped in a towel and her favorite lavender silk robe tied hastily around her body—Ivy and Grace were already in full battle formation at the foot of her bed.

Gone were the playful friends she had come to know. In their place stood two formidable forces of feminine power, assessing her from head to toe like a mission-critical project.

Aurelia gulped.

Mistake. This was a huge mistake.

Her panicked gaze darted toward Levi, who stood in the bedroom doorway looking thoroughly amused, his arms crossed over his bare, glistening chest. His tousled hair dripped faintly onto his skin, and the roguish grin tugging at his lips made it clear he was in no rush to help.

“I’ll make a noble sacrifice to the gods,” he said with mock solemnity. “And pray you survive whatever unholy rituals they’re about to perform.”

Then—with the worst timing known to man—he abandoned her. Just…vanished down the hall, leaving her to the mercy of two cosmetic commandos.

They moved fast. Unbelievably fast. Before she knew it, the bathroom counters and vanity were overrun with makeup palettes, curling irons, bottles of mysterious potions, and hair tools that looked more like medieval torture devices.

“Sit,” Ivy ordered, patting the chair in front of the mirror.

Aurelia sat. She wasn’t sure if it was free will or fear that got her there faster.

With military precision, Ivy whipped the towel from her head and attacked her damp hair with a comb and a series of expertlyapplied products. Meanwhile, Grace stood before her, gently cupping Aurelia’s chin, tilting her face this way and that as she murmured to herself about bone structure and undertones.

It should have been unsettling, but instead…it felt like something else entirely.

They were doing this because they cared. Because they wanted her to feel beautiful and confident. Like she mattered.

And that recognition hit her so hard she almost choked on it.

Tears welled before she could stop them, slipping silently down her cheeks. Lost in the whirlwind of emotion, she didn’t even notice the way Ivy and Grace had paused until she glanced up to find them staring at her with shared concern.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Grace asked softly, her voice as gentle as the hand she laid on Aurelia’s shoulder.

Aurelia swallowed hard. She was tired of running from this. From all of it.

Blowing out a shaky breath, she confessed, “I’m feeling…everything all at once. And I don’t know what to do with it. I’ve spent a long time burying my feelings. Ignoring them. Now they’re all right here, and I don’t know how to handle it.” She gave a watery, self-deprecating laugh. “I don’t even knowhowto be this person.”

Her voice cracked, but the truth made her feel lighter.

With a trembling but genuine smile, she looked between them and added, “But I do know this—I think you’re the first real friends who’ve ever made me feel like I matter. And that means more than I can even explain. Thank you. Both of you. So much.”

Ivy let out a choked squeak and turned her back to them, furiously dabbing at her eyes.