My parents? But that made no sense. They’d been murdered when I was four. Robin, who I’d met at the orphanage after I arrived, had never known them. Sure, we’d talked about them, but rarely—just like we didn’t talk much about his parents.
“And I am sorry I didn’t tell you about the orphanage’s troubles sooner. During one of my conversations with Robin, I mentioned that the orphanage had fallen on hard times,” Ada continued, obviously not thinking it strange that Robin would ask about my parents. “When we spoke next, he said he was coming to town to help. That was a week ago.”
“Right.” I chewed on my bottom lip. “I guess that makes sense.”
Some of it, anyway.
Ada gave me an understanding smile and pulled me in for a side hug. Warmth spread through me. I was still conflicted. But knowing that Ada cared enough to stop by really meant a lot to me. “You always needed to talk out your problems. Do you feel better? Less inclined to hit the bottl—I mean . . . down a couple of margaritas?”
My cheeks heated. “Yeah. Thanks for stopping by.”
She lifted her wand. “You’re welcome, dearie. I figured if a fairy godmother couldn’t make it all better, then who could?” She glanced at her watch and stood. “Call me if you need anything else, okay?”
I agreed and showed her to the door. As soon as the lock clicked into place, I pressed my back to the wall and slid to the floor.
Although Ada’s visit had made me feel better, it had also introduced new questions. Ones I couldn’t figure out with so much tequila swirling through me but would obsess over later.
Like why had Robin called to ask about my parents before coming home?
Chapter Four
Water trickled down my body,slightly softening the sensation of a hammer pounding against my skull. I groaned. Tequila was a bad choice.
Hangovers were the worst. Why did anyone drink? Why didIdrink last night? A dozen experiences had taught me I was a lightweight and needed to be careful. And yet, I found myself with my cheek stuck to the side of the shower once again.
Will I ever learn?
I shook my head, well aware that question could apply to a few facets of my life at the moment. The motion only made it hurt more. Unfortunately, I couldn’t sit in the shower and mope all day. This was my first day off in over a week, and I had shit to do. Mountains of it.
My chores consisted of boring stuff like grocery shopping and cleaning. Even so, I would have to be semi-cognizant to perform them. Which meant that I needed painkillers, water, and, most of all, food.
I turned the shower knob, and the water trickled to nothing. After wrapping myself in a robe and twisting my hair into a towel, I ventured into the kitchen with the slow, shuffling steps of the nearly dead. I’d just tossed back a couple of painkillers and was pounding a glass of water when someone knocked on my door.
Who dares approach my lair now?I thought and mentally roared like a dragon. I stood there, staring at the door, wondering, and debating if I should pretend like I wasn’t home, until I realized that it was probably Ada returning to check on me. I hoped she’d brought that fairy godmother wand with her. I could use a bucket of magic right about now.
The knock sounded again, louder this time. I grumbled and shuffled over to the door. “Jeez! Hold up a second, will you!” I gripped the door handle and pulled. “I feel like—Oh!”
Robin stood in front of me, wearing dark slim-cut jeans and a classic black button-up shirt that fit him perfectly. He looked like a GQ cover model. Something inside me stirred, almost breaking through the hangover.
“Howareyou feeling, Mar-bear?” Robin grinned like the devil himself as he held out a grease-soaked paper bag and a cup of coffee. The scent of sausage and egg leaked out from the bag and my stomach churned with hunger.
I bristled. He had some nerve coming here, but try as I might, I couldn’t find the strength to turn him away. Not when he’d brought exactly what I needed to stay alive.
“Let me guess, Ada told you I went on a bender?” I grabbed the bag and coffee from his hands.
“She said that she was busy preparing for the Halloween party tonight but wanted someone to stop by and make sure you were okay.” Robin remained in the doorway, hovering.
I wondered what he was doing, but then he ran his hand through his wavy brown hair. My eyebrows shot up at the familiar tic.He’s nervous. But why?
“Sooooo, can I come in? I’d like to talk.”
I jerked back. The old Robin would never have asked. He would have strolled right on inside. I considered turning him away, but it seemed wrong after he’d brought life-giving substances. Plus, now that he’d mentioned Ada, I had a few questions for him.
“Uh, yeah. I’m going to eat.” I gestured to my circular two-person table at the edge of the kitchen.
We sat, and Robin smartly gave me a few moments to eat the breakfast sandwiches and drink the coffee.
“Thanks,” I said, after downing half the drink. Already I could feel a teensy bit of life returning to me. Thank the ancients for coffee. Particularly spiced mochas. Those were my favorite. “Did Ada tell you what to get?” `
