CHAPTER 31Levi
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.
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.
What video? 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— but once I saw your car in her driveway, and all the lights were off, it looked creepy and suspicious.
So, I might have patrolled the perimeter of her house looking for you to make sure you were safe.
And I might have looked in the windows to make sure you weren’t lying in a pool of your own blood, taking your last breaths…
and also, I might have 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’m very sorry 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 tantalizing curves.
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 getting distracted.
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.
She tilted her head, thoughtfully considering the invitation. “They won't leave you alone until they meet me, will they?” There was no accusation in her voice. Just a quiet assessment of the facts.
“They will make my life hell, yes.”
“Then let's do it. I wouldn’t want my husband subjected to further torture after this morning's pancake incident,” she said dryly.
He smiled, carefree for the first time in ages.
This was going to be fine. Possibly more than fine.
Until he remembered the other messages he received.
“So, about Owen's voicemails…”