Page 45 of The Healing Touch

“It’s not just a banner. It’s a demon from hell.” Dimitri let out another string of curses when the metal rod hit him in the face.

“You need some help there, slugger?”

That voice, she knew—Sara Jane. Becca hoped she hadn’t pulled along more people wanting to meet the man candy. Taking a deep breath to fortify her nerves, she turned and saw not only had she brought at least three other people, they were all laughing at Dimitri, who looked ready to murder the inanimate object in his hands.

“This fucking thing…how do you put them up?”

Sara Jane laughed and took the banner from him. She made quick work of it, grinning like an idiot. “See? It’s so easy my six-year-old could do it.”

“Easy?” He glared her down. “That is a fucking nightmare. Whoever invented that shit needs to be shot.”

“Is he always this babyish?” Sara directed the question at Becca. Her words froze as eyes turned to her. She clenched her fist, trying to gain control of the panic fighting to consume her.Breathe in, breathe out. Slow, deep breaths. She could do this.

“Always.”

There, she got one word out, and it didn’t sound too strangled. Well, it did, but it was her lie, and she was going to tell it. Becca needed all the help she could get right now.

“Nice to finally meet you, Becca.” Sara came over and hugged her. She went a little stiff but managed to at least attempt to hug her back. When Sara pulled back, she saw a bit of confusion in her eyes. “You okay, hon?”

Becca nodded, the urge to dash out of the room growing as more and more people filtered in and started chatting closer and closer to their table. “Long day.”

“I get that. It was an awful drive down. We hit traffic and road work. Beast of a ride. Let me introduce these fools who wanted to meet y’all.”

“Meet Dimitri, you mean?” She couldn’t help the wry smile that was tugged out of her despite all the panic.

“Ha ha, yeah. They all want to meet him.”

Becca tuned her out as she started to introduce everyone and focused instead on the swirls in the carpet and controlling her breathing. As long as no one came any closer, she could do this. The panic was there, and it could overwhelm her, but she was controlling it. No small feat.

Dimitri startled her when he caught her hand and pulled her to him. His concerned gaze met hers. He knew the panic was rising. No one else seemed to have noticed it, or at least wrote it off as being tired, but not Dimitri. He understood it, having witnessed it so many times this weekend.

“Becca is the only reason I’m able to do anything. If not for her, I’d be stuck marketing my ass off and no words would get written.”

“You do all of his promo images, don’t you?” This from the short, dark-haired girl. She looked familiar, but Becca couldn’t place her.

She dug her fingers into Dimitri’s side, not meaning him any pain, but needing something to clutch on to as she attempted to speak with all the panic trying to rise up and choke her.

“I do. He and Photoshop are mortal enemies.”

“It’s true. I deleted the damn thing in a fit of spite after it kicked my ass.”

“Do you do work for any other authors? I really need someone who can make them for me. Mine are terrible, not at all fancy like Dimitri’s. Those promo images sell our books as much as the actual covers do. I’m not artsy, and it shows.”

“I’ve never really worked with anyone else.”

“I’d pay whatever you wanted. Your images are gorgeous.”

She noticed several of the other women were listening and nodding. She’d never really thought about it before. Graphic design was what she’d gone to school for. Maybe she should think about it, at least?

“Why don’t you guys bring Becca your business cards, and she can contact you after the signing is over?” Dimitri suggested. “That is, if I let her. She is my PA, after all.” He gave them all his sexy grin, and they reacted the same way most women did. Their eyes widened and their cheeks pinked up. And it got their attention off Becca. She was showing signs of stress, and he didn’t want her to have an all-out attack in front of everyone. She’d never forgive him.

Becca shot him a grateful look and slipped behind him to start working on the table, leaving him to chat with the ladies. He noticed Sara Jane’s gaze followed her, her expression curious. She did say something about her kid having anxiety problems. She might understand a little of what Becca was going through. He’d talk to her about it later.

Sara Jane’s phone rang, and she pulled it out, her face morphing into agitation. Now, that was curious. She excused herself to take the call. He hoped nothing was wrong. He kept up the conversation with the other authors, but his attention remained divided between Sara and Becca.

“Here, make yourself useful.” Becca shoved another banner at him. “This one is more important than your other one.”

“Why?” Why the fuck would she order two of the damned things?

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