“No, dragon shifters adore it too.” I took another chip. The spicy sauce wasn’t bad, and I was getting used to the heat. “But we have to be careful when and where we do it. At home, we have human-type barbecues and save the dragon ones for the dead of winter in the clearing.”
We finished the food and cleaned up. The craving was apparently satisfied for now.
Upstairs, he curled into me with one hand on his stomach where our babies were growing.
“Dray?” He was already half asleep.
“Yeah?”
“Thank you for the pickles. And for not thinking I'm bonkers.”
“Never. Besides, I’m happily bonkers with you.”
FIFTEEN
PAX
I stared at my phone, but it didn’t give me the answer I was looking for.
“You can do this.” Dray was sitting beside me in bed.
“Can I, though?”
“Your folks deserve to know you’re happy and coupled up, and most of all, that you’re pregnant.”
Gods, I’d been in town for about two months, had met my one and only, and I was carrying our children. For a human couple who’d had doubts about me coming here, there would be so many questions. My parents loved me, but they’d wonder if I was making a mistake. I should have told them about Dray and the pregnancy, but I’d chickened out.
I put a hand on my belly, and once reassured that the eggs were fine, I hit the call button.
Mom answered on the second ring. “Pax! I was just thinking about you. How's everything? How’s the town treating you?”
“Yeah, and it's great. Also, I found a job.” I was stalling. “How are you and Dad?”
“We're fine. Your father's playing golf, and I've joined a book club. Do you have news? I hear that catch in your voice that you get when something’s going on.”
Damn, my voice had betrayed me.
“Nothing's wrong. I just, ummm, yeah.” I looked at Dray who gave me a thumbs-up. “I have some news.” My hesitation was giving me away.
“Oh gods. You're moving back home. I knew that house was too much and you’d change your mind.”
“No, Mom, I’m staying here, and I’m really happy.”
“Hmmm. Okay. What is it about that place that makes you so happy?”
Gods, my mother was going to ferret out my news before I could spit it out.
“I met someone.”
I was met with silence, but that wouldn’t last long, so instead of my mom filling it, I started talking.
“His name is Dray, and he’s a contractor.” I stood up. “He’s been helping with the house repairs, and we kinda connected.”
“That’s wonderful. I’m happy for you, but I was secretly hoping you’d be coming back here. I miss you.”
“But there’s more.”
“How much more can there be, ‘cause unless you’re pregnant…” Mom finally ran out of words.
