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“Yes, darling?”

Her eyes widen. Then narrow. “Don’t distract me with pet names.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.”

“You’re still human!”

“So it would appear.”

She grabs my face with both hands. Turns it left, and then right. As though she expects to find a seam.

“April.”

“Hang on.” She releases me. “Did you just pee?”

I huff a laugh. “Yes, I did.”

“Do you know what that means?”

I catch her hand and pull her to me, pressing her to my body. “I’m pretty sure what it means.”

She grins. “Were you human all night?”

“Yes,” I say. “I slept.”

“Like actual sleep?”

I nod.

Tears form in her eyes, and she clings to me. “Do you think it’s done, then? Do you think you can leave the house?”

“I do not know.”

“We need to test it.”

“Test it?”

“Yes, you should see if you can leave the property.”

I go still. The words strike something deep inside me. Leave? Her? I don’t think I could, even if I were physically capable.

She tugs on my hand, pulling me into the bedroom. “Let’s get dressed and try.”

“You will come along?” I ask.

“Of course.”

We dress and then go down the stairs to the front door, then we’re on the porch, and then we’re walking down the driveway.

I grab her hand, thread our fingers together.

“Are you worried you’ll change again?” she asks.

“No. I just wanted to hold your hand.”

She smiles sweetly at me. “Hey, what did you say last night before I fell asleep? I could hear you, but my brain had turned off, I guess.”

“I said that I would endure a lifetime of curses again and again to end up here with you.”