Page 26 of Suncatcher

Pearl smelled slightly different today, with floral hints beneath the sharp bite of smoke. Driz inhaled deeply.

Pearl adjusted the length of the straps with the metal sliders, the heat of her hands seeping through the fabric of Driz’s new shirt and into her chest. Driz’s heart sped up, wishing she could somehow keep the sensation of the touch like one of her treasures. But it was gone as soon as it arrived, and Pearl stepped away again.

She grabbed the basket she’d rested on the ground. “Your replacement pie. As promised.”

Driz peered inside at the brown disk. She had not eaten yet, and her stomach reacted with interest to the sweet scent. When she looked back up, Pearl was holding a bottle.

“It pairs well with bourbon. Share a glass with me?”

Driz nodded.

Pearl sauntered past her, setting her glowing lantern by her feet and seating herself on a large flat rock. Driz perched next to her as close as she dared, clutching her smelly basket to her chest as Pearl unstoppered the bottle and produced two glasses, pouring amber liquid into each. She handed one to Driz.

“This is bourbon?” Driz asked.

“Yup.” Pearl threw her head back, the liquid disappearing. Driz watched, enraptured, following the swallow and line of her neck to her collar.

Driz mimicked the motion with her own glass.

She choked. The fiery drink burned her gullet and stung her eyes. She blinked rapidly, and beside her, Pearl laughed.

Pearl’s amusement died in her throat. What was she thinking, laughing at a goyle?

“Sorry, I should’ve warned you,” she said quickly. “It takes some getting used to.”

Driz smiled again. It wasn’t quite as alarming to see that expression as it had been the first time. “Why are your teeth made of metal?”

Pearl ran her tongue over the false teeth at the mention, uncertain if she was annoyed or freshly amused. “That’s a rude question.”

“It is?” Driz’s eyes widened and her wings twitched. “I am sorry. I did not mean to offend you.”

“You didn’t. My real ones got kicked out of my face when I was a teenager.”

A low growl emanated from Driz’s chest, sending Pearl’s heart spiking. She stood, reaching for her hip as she put distance between them.

The growling stopped and Driz ducked her head. She shifted, settling back on her heels, knees folded up near her shoulders and her wings joining to create a conical point above her. As if making herself as small as possible. She cleared her throat. “Sorry,” she rumbled. “I was not growling at you.”

Pearl’s heart slowed. She pulled her hand away from the handle of her revolver and cautiously sat beside Driz again. “You just startled me.”

Driz nodded. “Do you like the stars?” she asked abruptly.

“I think everyone does.”

“They do?” Driz leaned toward her, excited.

“I mean, yeah. Why?”

“Then I am like everyone.” Driz smiled again. Then she looked down at her basket, withdrawing the whole pie.

“There’s a spoon in there too,” Pearl told her, reaching over and pulling it out. “Not the polite way to eat it, but my favorite.”

Driz accepted the spoon, curling her long, clawed fingers around the handle. Her forefinger brushed Pearl’s own.

Driz tentatively poked at the crust. It wasn’t hot anymore but still smelled heavenly. Pearl should’ve had Molly make two.

But Driz didn’t eat it. She held it out toward Pearl. “You shared your drink. I want to share this pie. Show me how you eat it.”

Oh. That had no right to make Pearl’s belly heat.