Page 62 of Code of Heart
The initial voicemails were brief and to the point: Estrella checking in on them both, Charles asking if Aurelia was alright, and Mitchell politely wondering if he needed an annulment.
The rest?
Mostly Owen.
Levi sighed and pressed play.
“It’s Owen. I’m so sorry, man, I was trying to lighten the mood and put everyone at ease. I didn’t mean to upset you or Aurelia. I’d also like to apologize for taking that video…and for sharing it with the gang before I realized what was happening. Call me back.”
Levi’s stomach dropped.
Whatvideo? He had been so fixated on their first kiss that he completely missed it.
He hesitated, but played the next message.
“Please call me—Owen, your best friend—so I can apologize…and make sure you’re still alive. I haven’t ruled out that she’s an axe murderer yet. If I don’t hear from you in the next ten minutes, I’m launching my own investigation. I love you. Bye.”
Levi rubbed an anxious hand over his face.
Despite Owen being the best security expert around, there was something deeply unhinged about that voicemail.
The third came with a new level of uninvited escalation.
“Okay, seriously, call me, I feel really bad. I drove by your house, and you’re obviously not there but that doesn’t mean she didn’t drown you in a lagoon yet. Don’t worry though—I’ll find you. Also, it’s Owen, your extremely remorseful but easily forgivable best friend.”
He was afraid to hit play on the fourth message. But he did it anyway.
And instantly regretted it.
“In case you weren’t sure, it’s Owen again.”His heavy breathing suddenly made Levi unbelievably nervous.“I took matters into my own hands and hunted down her address and decided to drive by. Now don’t get mad—and remember, I did this because I’m your friend and I love you—butonce I saw your car in her driveway, and all the lights were off, it looked creepy and suspicious. So, Imighthave patrolled the perimeter of her house looking for you to make sure you were safe. And Imighthave looked in the windows to make sure you weren’t lying in a pool of your own blood, taking your last breaths…and also, Imighthave seen you officially consummate your marriage.
Levi felt his soul leave his body.
He was going to strangle Owen.
So, congratulations on that and not being murdered. But more importantly, I’mverysorry I saw it. Rest assured, I’ll be pouring bleach or some other strong disinfectant into my eyes. You’re now forever unclean to me. Tell Aurelia I said hi and I’m sorry again.”
He let out an annoyed groan so loud it echoed off the kitchen walls right when Aurelia padded into the room. She was barefoot and glowing from her shower, dressed in tight maroon leggings and a soft cream-colored shirt that hugged her tantalizingcurves. Her hair was damp and messy, twisted into a loose bun, that she was now pulling free with a stretch of her arms.
The voicemails temporarily forgotten, Levi nearly forgot how to breathe.
He still needed to shower, but with the way his gaze was locked onto her, he doubted he would make it to the bathroom without gettingdistracted.
Aurelia tilted her head, noting his expression. “What were you whining about?”
Levi snapped back to reality, exhaling a slow breath. “Well, I caught up on all my voicemails.” He shrugged helplessly.
She waited, her expression expectant.
“Everyone from the ceremony called to make sure we survived yesterday,” he said with a wry smile.
Aurelia flushed with color, clearly remembering the drama.
“Owen also left me four progressively questionable voicemails that I’ll get to in a minute. The others—my nosy friends Isaac, Ivy, and Grace—sent their congratulations and invited us to dinner tomorrow night.”
A sharp inhale from Aurelia made him stop, her unease evident. He softened his tone.
“If you’re not comfortable going to dinner so soon, I’ll tell them they’ve got better odds stacking marbles in a hurricane.” The gang could be a handful on a good day; he wasn’t entirely sure he was ready to unleash them either.
