Page 118 of Suncatcher

“I’m up for it. After what happened last time, it’d be good to have the protection and assurance on the roads. We won’t go into the city, but I’m sure we can find something to do while we wait nearby.” She batted her eyes and Driz rumbled, her hands flexing on Pearl’s hips.

“If you go, I will go.”

Pearl pulled her in for a long kiss.

“How is your mother?” Driz asked.

“As nosy as ever. She wants to come out and have a meal with us soon. She asked about tonight, but I told her no. I didn’t think she’d appreciate crunchy pie. And I wanted to make sure you’re fine with it.”

“You do not have to ask to bring her here.”

Tears pricked at Pearl’s eyes and she blinked them away. “You forgive way too easily.”

Driz shrugged. “She is the reason you are you, and that you are with me. What is there to forgive compared to that?”

Pearl couldn’t stand Driz’s heart sometimes. “When you say things like that, I’m reminded just how different we are.”

“We are different.” Driz nuzzled Pearl’s nose. “But perhaps we are different in the right ways.”

Pearl smiled. She liked that reasoning. So she kissed her sweet, intelligent gargoyle, in their new home. “Perhaps we are.”