something?”
When Dimitri didn’t say anything, Rebecca kicked him.
“Ouch! What the hell did you do that for?”
“Because you’re being an ass. If I can sit here and face my very real fear of crowds, then you can damn well ’fess up about your legs.”
“That’s private and my business.”
“Do I need to kick you in the balls again?”
“You kicked him in the balls?” Sara Jane’s head kept turning back and forth between the two of them, eyes wide.
“Why did you kick him in the balls?” This from the author at the next table. Dimitri groaned, but Becca ignored him.
“Trust me, he deserved it.” She nudged him with her knee. “Go ahead and tell them. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, and I think you’ve seen for yourself your preconceived notions are bupkis.”
“Preconceived notions?” Sara pulled up a chair from one of the other tables, now empty as the author had gone to lunch. The signing room would be closed for the next hour, so they didn’t worry about anyone interrupting them. A few other authors had wandered over, wanting to meet Dimitri.
“Uh-huh.” She spotted Henry and waved him over. “Henry, can you check to see if the hall is still crowded?”
“Do you want to go eat?” Dimitri asked, trying his best not to wince at the idea of standing up.
“No, I really, really need to pee, but if there are people out there, I’ll wait.”
“I’ll go with you.”
“Nope, you sit right here and rest while explaining to Sara Jane about your legs and your idiotic ideas about why people like you.”
“All clear, Becca,” Henry called from the doorway, and Becca stood, careful to not to get near any of the authors crowding around the table. She’d been fine all day behind her private barricade, but out in the open, one simple touch could send her spiraling. She inched around them and all but ran across the carpeted floor.
“Can you wait outside the door for me, please?” She kept her voice low as they walked towards the ladies’ bathroom. “Knock on the door or something to warn me if someone comes in?”
“Sure thing, baby girl.” He leaned against the wall. “Take your time.”
Becca walked into the bathroom and turned on the tap, splashing her face with water. She hadn’t worn makeup because she didn’t have water resistant makeup and she’d sweated enough in there already to have lost a good two or three pounds. Her makeup wouldn’t have survived.
She took deep, steadying breaths. Small dots danced in front of her. Her panic was crawling up her back, purring. She’d beat it back all morning, but it was finally starting to wear on her. She could feel it curling in her stomach, ready to spring at a moment’s notice.
The test had been going well, other than that. She wanted to make sure she could be a part of Dimitri’s life without worrying about flipping out every other second. Today had shown her she could control it with enough planning. Psyching herself up the last few days had helped tremendously.
Maybe she really could do this.
“Hello, my little sixpence whore.”
She froze.
The rage in that voice.
Standing behind her was Dimitri’s ex.
Looking ready to do her serious harm.
Well, hell.
Chapter Eighteen
How the hell had she ended up in a bathroom with the ex flavor of the week? She looked every inch the beautiful seductress from last night in her short black dress and stilettos. Makeup done perfectly, not a hair out of place. If it weren’t for the fury vibrating off her, Becca wouldn’t even have looked at her twice. She didn’t associate with beauty queens on a regular basis, especially ones who liked to call her a whore and a bitch.
“Cathy…”
“Charlene,” the blonde seethed. “Are you so stupid you can’t even remember my name?”
“You’re not important enough for me to remember you name.”
That really set her off. Her hands clenched. Smart move, Becca. Insult the crazy ex. Mason said she wasn’t physically dangerous. She probably just needed to vent. Not that Becca was in the mood. She needed to pee, like, yesterday.
“I’m not important?” She tossed her mane of hair over her shoulder. “Just who the fuck do you think you are? A bedwarmer? His new whore until he gets bored?”
“I’ll never be any of those things.” She couldn’t resist the sly smile that flirted with her lips. “He loves me.”
Charlene laughed. “He doesn’t love anyone. He’ll use you and throw you away.”
“I don’t think so. Dimitri and I have known each other for almost ten years.”
“You’re lying.”
“No.