The Reinvention of Jinx Howell by Nancee Cain

Author:Nancee Cain
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Nancee Cain
Published: 2019-06-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

A LOUD SNORE startled Jinx awake. She lay still with her eyes closed, wanting to cry, knowing she wouldn’t. Not again! Where am I? Whose bed am I in? The last thing she remembered was Mark carrying her…

Mark. She relaxed, knowing she was safe, and opened her eyes. But Mark would ask questions. Maybe if she was quiet she could leave before he woke up. Gently, she eased herself to sitting, her pounding head protesting all the way. Before she could get her feet on the floor, an arm snaked across her, trapping her on the bed.

“Going somewhere?”

“I’ve got to let Winston out.”

“He’s fine. I took him out a couple of hours ago when I smoked. How are you feeling after last night?”

“I’m fine.” She froze, wondering if they’d had sex.

It wasn’t that she was worried about Mark. She knew him well enough to know he’d cover up. But the hole in her memory was concerning. She needed to quit drinking; it was making the blackouts worse and more frequent.

“You’re not fine. You were drunk off your sweet little ass.”

“You’re not my parent,” she snapped. “Or my husband.”

“No, I’m not. And in case you’re interested, I’m not anyone’s husband anymore. I’m your friend. If you’d let me be one.”

The tightening in her chest eased a bit. But she was still wary, trusting no one. If anyone found out how truly sick she was, it would be all over. Being around the mentally ill was tiring. That’s why her father shipped her mother off on a routine basis.

Mental illness was the secret her father forbade anyone from talking about. Even her sister had suffered bouts of depression, but silence prevailed. That Christmas she’d spent with Angel was the closest she’d ever come to telling someone about her blackout spells. But she hadn’t. He’d had enough problems of his own.

“Well, friend. Thanks for whatever happened last night. I guess I need to go check out of my room.” Please say I didn’t make a fool of myself…

Mark yawned. “Nothing happened between us last night—if that’s what you’re wondering. And you checked out of the motel last night. Rather, you were thrown out for public intoxication. Luckily, the cops didn’t haul both of our asses in. Your suitcase is in the other room.”

She hid her face in her hands. Why? Why am I always at my worst with this man?

Mark sat up and kissed the top of her head. “Don’t worry about it. Let’s shower and go down to the Quarter and get some coffee and beignets. Your treat. It can be my payment for keeping you outta jail.”

She relaxed and gave him a genuine smile. He truly was a good guy. “Sounds fair enough. No lecture?”

“Not before coffee. Do you want first shower or second?”

“You go ahead. I’m going to drink some water and check in with Will.”

She watched as he climbed out of bed, stretching. Was he doing it on purpose? Looking so sexy with his low-riding pajama pants? When he caught her staring, he adjusted himself, winked and headed toward the bathroom.

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