Page 40 of After You

“I found something else I was passionate about,” shesaid.

It looked like he was gritting his teeth.

Levi Spencer suddenly slid into the booth beside her. Man, the guy even smelled amazing.

“So,” he said, giving her a big, charming grin. “Tell me more about the acupuncture. I’m intrigued.”

“I can’t imagine anything that you do that would actually cause a muscle strain,” Kyle said, frowning at theman.

“Oh, there’s lots of things,” Levi told him. “There’s writing checks. Making all those zeroes could technically be a repetitive-motion injury. Or there’s flying my private plane. That’s not as easy as I make it look. Or it might be shifting the gears in my Porsche,” he said thoughtfully.

“You’re an ass,” Kyle toldhim.

Levi grinned. “And you’re jealous. But don’t worry, I really do just want her to stick me with needles.”

“I’m going to tell Kate you’re flirting,” Kylesaid.

Levi laughed. “Call her right now.” He shifted and pulled his phone out of his pocket. He hit the number one on his speed dial and then pressed the button for the speakerphone.

Hannah looked over at Kyle, but he just gave her an exasperatedlook.

A moment later a woman’s voice answered, “Hi, honey.”

“Babe, I’m at the diner,” Levisaid.

“I’m shocked.”

“Hi, Katie!” a few of the guys called.

She laughed. “Morning, guys.”

“Hey, I was just calling to tell you that I’m being accused of flirting with another woman, but I don’t want you to worry.”

“If you were conscious and around another woman, I’d be concerned if you weren’t flirting. That’s the sign something is wrong.”

Levi grinned. “It’s actually mostly because it seems to be riling Dr. Ames up abit.”

“Ah, yes, the trifecta—you’re conscious, there’s a woman, and it will irritate someone else if you do it. Of course you’re flirting.”

Hannah could swear she could hear Kate’s grin…and her eyeroll.

“Oh, and she’s an acupuncturist, so she can stick needles in my sore shoulder,” Levi added. “That okay withyou?”

“Honey, I’m just glad it’s not a jealous husband wanting to stick his fist in your face,” Katesaid.

Levi nodded. “You’re thebest.”

“Iknow.”

“See you later.”

Kate disconnected and Levi grinned at Kyle. “So, I have permission to get half-naked with Hannah. Are you okay withthat?”

Kyle scowled at him. “Not even a little.”

He couldn’t have surprised her more. Hannah flashed Kyle a look, and then said to Levi, “Don’t worry about Kyle. We’re just friends.”

“That’s not what I hear,” Levisaid.

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