Page 16 of The Healing Touch (Manwhore #3)

She barely had time to plaster on a grin before he was snapping photos.

This was why he hadn’t sat on the other side of the table.

He was picture-happy. As soon as he was satisfied, he posted to Instagram, the one social media site he knew how to navigate better than Becca did.

That was why she’d linked his Facebook account to it, so every time he uploaded photos, it would post there as well.

The waitress interrupted their nonsense with their food, which caused him to take even more photos and post them. “This looks good.”

She snatched up one of the famous duck fries and had a little food orgasm right there on the spot. Divine.

“You should see your face.” Dimitri snapped another photo.

“Post it and you die.”

He stabbed his fork at her. “It shall be my blackmail photo.”

“Please. You think I don’t have at least a dozen of those I can use myself? More memes like the one of you running off the stage to the toilet?”

His eyes widened, and she snorted her laughter. “Promise me, Becca. No bathroom memes. I still haven’t lived the last ones down.”

“We’ll see. It all depends upon whether that photo you just took of me ever sees the light of day.”

Dimitri’s phone buzzed, and he looked down, alarmed. When he answered the phone, Becca saw it was Sara Jane, only she wasn’t just calling, she was Face Timing him.

“I thought you were too busy to come eat with us? And now you’re posting food photos? What the hell, Dimitri?”

She sounded hurt, and Becca felt bad. “You can blame me. He refused to abandon me in the hotel.”

Dimitri tilted the phone so Sara could see her. “Is that you, Becca?”

“In the flesh.”

“It’s so nice to talk to you!” Sara beamed. “I know we’ve chatted in text and on messenger, but it’s great to finally put a face to the name. You could have come with, by the way. I invited you too.”

“I know, I’m sorry. I’m just not big on crowds, and Dimitri, being the awesome friend he is, wouldn’t let me sit by myself in a hotel room eating cold pizza while he was scarfing hot food somewhere.”

“We’re at the Hibachi place.” Sara Jane turned her head and spoke to someone before looking back at them. “I understand about the crowds too, honey. My daughter hates them. Are you guys coming over tonight to set up?”

“Yeah. I’ve been informed she’ll kick my ass if I don’t.”

“I said no such thing!”

“She did.” He nodded and leaned forward. “She even threatened to kick me in the balls so hard I’d be out of action for a whole month.”

“Asshole.” She bumped his shoulder. “You’re such a liar!” Well, she did threaten his balls, but not in the context he was joking about.

“I’m an author. I lie for a living.”

Sara Jane laughed at their antics. “You two are adorable.”

“See? I keep telling you I’m adorable, but why you refuse to see it, I don’t understand. Sara Jane gets it.”

“It comes from knowing you for so many years.”

“How long have you two known each other?” Sara looked over her shoulder and shrugged.

“What is it, eight, nine years or something?” He reached over and absently popped one of her fries into his mouth before she could stop him. Uh-oh. Duck really didn’t sit well with him.

“Ummm, D?”

“Yeah?” He reached for another fry.

“Do you want to spend the night on the toilet?”

“Of course not.”

“Then stop stealing my damn fries.”

He paused, fry midway to his mouth, and then he dropped it, horror flowing into his expression. “Shit.”

Becca laughed so hard she had to turn away so she could double over. Shit was definitely the word to use, considering what duck fat did to him.

“What’s so funny?” Sara demanded.

Dimitri stared at the plate of duck fries with utter disgust. Dammit. How many had he eaten before she stopped him?

“He said shit,” Becca gasped, and Dimitri shot her a look so hostile, it had Sara raising her eyebrows at him.

“It’s not that funny.”

“Yes, yes, it is.”

His scowl turned slightly evil right before he attacked her rib cage, tickling her for all he was worth.

“Stop!” Becca wheezed, but she was trapped between him and the wall. He kept up his assault until she cried uncle.

“That is what you get for being mean to your best friend.” He sat back, a smug grin dominating his face.

“That wasn’t fair!” She wiped the tears from her eyes. Dimitri was so dead later.

“I told you once already, Rebecca. I don’t play fair.”

Becca’s laughter died when she heard the seriousness in his voice. A quick peek confirmed his own laughter had fled. He was staring at her with an intensity that stole her breath.

“Ahem…” Sara cleared her throat. “I think that’s my cue to say goodbye.”

“We’ll see you later tonight, Sara Jane.

” Dimitri disconnected the call without even bothering to say goodbye and turned his full attention on her.

Those blue eyes that had been dancing with laughter were now serious and ominous.

“Let’s head back to the hotel. We do have a lot of work to do, but I also want to talk to you about last night and this morning. ”

“I’d really rather not talk about it.”

“Tough shit, Becca. We’re talking.” He signaled the waiter for their check and carry-out boxes for the rest of their food.

Talking was the last thing she wanted to do, but it looked like Dimitri wasn’t going to let her hide from this any more than he was going to let her hide away in her apartment, content to stay safe and sound from the world.

She had a feeling it was going to be a come-to-Jesus moment for them both, and one she wasn’t looking forward to.