loading those bags into the boxes. They’re alphabetized, so keep them in the right boxes.”
The fuck? She went from seductress to general in the blink of an eye.
“Get moving or we’ll be late.”
“No, you aren’t coming with me.” No way in hell was he letting her put herself through that.
She paused, another chunk of fruit midway to her mouth. “What?”
“I mean it, Becca. I can do this myself. You don’t have to come and face all that…”
“Oh, yes, I do.” She gave him her full attention, appreciative of what he was trying to do, but this was a decision she’d come to this morning. She’d spent all her life hiding from things, never facing her fears, and in this instance, her honor. She’d be damned if she let some hateful, jealous ex keep her from helping her best friend.
“Last night…”
“Was last night,” she cut him off. “I’m okay this morning. I’ve taken my anxiety meds, I have my inhaler handy, and I’ll be okay.”
“Becca.”
“No, D. I have to do this. I realize it will be hard, and I might flip out, but I need to try. Not only for you, but for me. As long as I’m behind the table and no one can surround me, I’ll be okay. I’ve been giving myself pep talks since I agreed to come. I have to do this.”
“But you don’t.”
“Yes, I do. I need to make sure I can be the person you need me to be.”
“What the fuck are you talking about? I need you to be you. That’s it.”
“You need someone who can do this, go to events, be out in the public. That’s who you are, Dimitri, and if I can’t do this, we might not work.” She held up a hand to stop him. “I know what you’re going to say, but if I feel inadequate in our relationship, how much of a chance do you really think we have? Let me do this, please.”
She had thought a lot about this. Dimitri was very much a public person, one who was always out to events and parties. She had to know she could eventually go to those things with him. She wasn’t stupid enough to think going to one event would cure her, but it would tell her if she could build from it and eventually contain her panic enough to do the things he loved to do.
“First sign of a panic attack, and we’re out.” He came over and swept her up. “Not for me, but for you. I couldn’t care less if you have a meltdown and scream bloody murder, but I’m guessing you would.”
She nodded. He was right. She’d be so embarrassed she’d probably delete her Facebook page. She already set her profile security so no one could tag her or post on her page. Enough was enough. And if she saw Christy, Carly, whatever her name was, she’d give her a piece of her mind. How in the world had she found out who Becca was? It still boggled her mind. She never posted anything personal.
“Fine. Now get to loading those bags up before we really are late.”
Dimitri let her go but slapped her ass before she could move out of the way. She threw him a glare and started to gather up all the swag she’d organized last night. Today was going to be hard. She knew that. She was prepared for it.
Today was her test run. If she couldn’t do this, there might not be a future for them. She wouldn’t trap him in a relationship he’d ultimately come to despise, even if he didn’t want to admit it.
Today would be everything.
Chapter Seventeen
The signing room was filled with people running around like lunatics. Curses could be heard as they struggled with banners and other things that needed to be put together. Becca kept her eyes down and made a beeline for Dimitri’s table. She was shocked to find Henry there, arranging banners.
“What are you doing?”
He paused long enough to wink. “I’m arranging these so you won’t be bothered by anyone. I’m making you a cocoon of banners. That way, you won’t feel crowded.”
That was the sweetest thing anyone had ever done for her. Dimitri grumbled, but she ignored him. “Thank you, Henry.”
The model finished what he was doing before coming out from behind the table. “It’s nothing.”
She put down the box she was carrying and hugged him, really hugged him. There wasn’t anyone else around their table, and she didn’t feel at all