Parking her car, Alexa now gathered her belongings as she made her way to a local diner. With the warehouse stake out proving to be a bust, she found herself with a much needed day off. After exchanging texts with Cora, the pair decided to meet for a late breakfast.
Entering the diner, Alexa scanned the bustling interior noticing her friend had already secured a booth. "Hey Cora," she smiled, easing herself into the cushioned seat across from her.
"Hey Alexa," Cora replied with a grin. Unlike her get together with Tom, Cora was in human form. The pretty red head dressed casually, her auburn hair pulled into a ponytail. To the uninformed, the old friends looked like two twenty something humans catching up with one another. Only those familiar with the supernatural would spot the subtle hints of the pairs true identity.
Alexa's eyes seemed just a tad large, Cora's beautiful face a bit squarish and strong. These identifiers though we're minimal, hardly noticeable to the average human meaning the pair wouldn't draw an excessive amount of attention from passersby.
"So how's work?" Cora asked, raking a sip of coffee.
"Not too bad," Alexa shrugged as she perused the menu. "Rare day off. The project I was working on got pushed back. Probably have a day or two to myself."
Cora stifled a laugh, causing Alexa to frown slightly. "What?"
"The project you're working on," Cora giggled. "Geez Alexa you're really starting to sound all secret agenty."
Alexa shushed her friend, motioning for her friend to keep it down. "Relax Jane Bond no one's listening," Cora grinned.
"Okay fine but you shouldn't make jokes about that," Alexa said, her tone sounding as if she were lecturing. "You can't be too careful."
"Hello ladies can I take your order?"
Alexander and Cora glanced up, noticing the perky, young waitress smiling at them. "Egg white omelet, whole wheat toast, coffee, and do you have fresh squeezed orange juice?" Alexa stated.
"Ugh, oh my gawd Alexa." Cora groaned.
"What?!"
"Enough with the health food," Cora replied. "And how about some variety? You order the same thing EVERYTIME!"
"What? I like it," Alexa countered.
"Should I come back?" the waitress asked nervously.
"No" Cora said quickly. "Let me get pancakes, sausage, an order of hash browns, and keep the coffee flowing."
The waitress nodded, pouring the two women coffee before hurrying off as Alexa now glared at her friend.
"You know you might want to start eating healthier Cora," she said.
"Troll metabolism," Cora smiled. "I burn calories pretty quickly."
"I'm just saying you don't want to take chances with your health," Alexa replied.
"Mmhmm," Cora grinned. "Speaking of chances, how's your partnership with Tom going?"
Alexa choked, nearly spitting her coffee everywhere as she gave Cora a bewildered look. "Fine," she coughed. "Perfectly fine. He's a consummate professional."
"Sure he is," Cora grinned. "That's why you nearly memorized his file before he started and don't think I didn't catch you checking him out."
"I wanted to know who I'd be working with," Alexa replied defensively. "And I was just appraising his skill set. It's not everyday you meet a wizard."
"Sweet Jesus you're an awful liar," Cora groaned rolling her eyes. "We both know my mom asked him to take me out so I could get a feel for him and tell you if he's a great guy."
Alexa frowned, opening her mouth before closing it then sulking. It annoyed her that her best friend and her family always wanted to appraise any guy she was interested in. Still, it had saved her from dating any real scumbags over the years. Nervously she now glanced at Cora, her shoulders clenched as she anxiously awaited her best friend's answer.
"So how was the date?"
"He's a fantastic guy!" Cora exclaimed loudly, causing Alexa to quickly shush her. "Great personality, friendly, focused on his job. A real catch and a real professional. Reminds me of someone I know....can't quite put my finger on it though..."
"Shut up," Alexa grumbled, a small smile spreading across her face as she playfully tossed a crumpled up napkin at her friend. "So he really is a good one?"
"Yes you dunce," Cora exclaimed. "And I can freaking tell he likes you too! So will you please stop overthinking this and just ask him out?"
"I don't know," Alexa said nervously. "I mean we're colleagues, partners. Isn't there like rules against dating at work or something?"
"Will you stop making excuses," Cora groaned. "Look, I know you like him, I know he likes you. Can you just go for it? After all, have I ever led you wrong?"
"No," Alexa replied sheepishly.
"See," Cora said happily. "Just try to be casual about it and let him try to take the lead or think he's taking the lead. Also, don't talk about work, you two will spend the entire time just hashing out cases. Follow my advice and I guarantee you two would be perfect, you two just need to get out of each others way."
"Thanks Cora," Alexa smiled.
"What are friends for Alexa," Cora replied happily. "All I know is I either be maid of honor at the wedding or your first kid better be named after me."
"CORA!"
"Just saying," Cora smirked. "But trust me on this Alexa. He's a great guy. You just have to be willing to take the chance."