Chapter 7: Sweet and Sexy

Birdy impatiently checked her phone for the time as she waited for Alex to walk through the door. She had decided to make dinner for Alex again as a nice gesture after a long flight. She was also eager for the company; after having lived with someone else for so long, Birdy felt a little lonely.

At the same time, she was excited at the prospect of having a friend who was as passionate about fashion as she was - at least, she assumed Alex was passionate about it as a model.

Birdy jumped up as the kitchen timer went off, signaling that her dish was done cooking. She decided to make stuffed chicken breasts and mashed potatoes, something fairly simple. The final touch was some wine she'd bought that she hoped would pair nicely.

As she pulled the casserole dish out of the oven, she decided to help herself to a glass of wine while she waited for Alex to arrive. She pulled a wine glass out and poured herself a little wine before taking a sip.

"It smells heavenly in here," Alex commented from the doorway, startling Birdy and causing her to choke on her mouthful, the wine going down the wrong pipe.

Birdy's eyes started watering as she coughed loudly, trying to catch her breath. Alex rushed over in concern and placed a hand on Birdy's upper back, moving it in soothing circles.

As Birdy calmed down, she started noticing Alex's perfume - it was a luxurious floral and spicy scent that she couldn't place. It smelled amazing and definitely suited Alex. The way she was rubbing Birdy's back was also helping to soothe her and distract her from the slight ache in her throat.

"Thanks," Birdy croaked out with a smile as she straightened and looked at Alex finally. She was dressed in black cycling shorts and a red oversized hoodie accessorized with a black cap and black sneakers.

"I'm sorry for startling you," Alex said in an apologetic tone. "I didn't realize you didn't hear me coming in. Are you okay?"

Birdy smiled reassuringly and waved away Alex's apology. "It's okay. I'm good, I'm going to have another sip of wine and I'll be even better."

Alex looked at Birdy with an uncertain smile but nodded anyway. "I think I'll join you."

"How was your flight?" Birdy asked as she watched Alex pour herself a glass of wine. Alex groaned and turned so that she could face Birdy, both of them leaning against opposite counters.

"The guy next to me took a sleeping pill or something at the beginning of the flight and he was out the whole time. Snoring as loudly as a walrus, mind you," Alex complained with a rueful grin.

Birdy giggled and sipped her wine. "That sounds horrible."

"I couldn't even hear my movie over his snoring," Alex grumbled into her glass as she took a sip. "I'm just glad it's over."

"One of the hazards of being a frequent flyer, right?" Birdy asked in a teasing tone.

Alex laughed. "Definitely one of the cons of modeling, all the flying is killer. I would hate to know exactly how much time I spend in planes and airports annually."

Birdy sipped her wine and wrinkled her nose. "That airport part does sound awful, but I'd love to travel."

Alex smiled and nodded in agreement. "I've been to amazing places and I get paid to be there so I guess it balances out."

"Your job sounds amazing when you put it like that," Birdy groaned playfully. "I wish I were you."

Alex chuckled. "I think you enjoy styling clothes too much to just wear them."

"That's probably true," Birdy conceded. "I actually design clothes too, that's really the ultimate goal. My own clothing line."

"You should show me some of your designs," Alex encouraged as she refilled her glass. "Would you like a top-up?"

Birdy nodded and extended her glass out for Alex to refill, emptying the bottle. "I doubt my designs compare to the clothes you model."

Alex frowned. "Don't be your own hater, I'm sure your designs are fabulous."

Birdy blushed, feeling flattered by Alex's blind faith in her talent. Showing her designs to people wasn't something that she typically did because she was always so full of self-doubt. She didn't feel like she had designed anything interesting or spectacular yet.

"I hope they don't disappoint you when you finally see them," Birdy replied with a warm smile.

Alex rolled her eyes playfully. "Just promise me that you'll let me model your clothes when you finally have your own line."

Birdy burst into joyful laughter and sipped her wine. "I'll take that deal. Just don't forget about it when the time comes."

Alex laughed and sipped her wine, prompting Birdy to do the same. They fell into a comfortable silence, both of them feeling the warm and fuzzy effects of the wine they were drinking. Birdy vaguely wondered if they should have had their dinner before they'd had that much to drink.

"I love your perfume, by the way," Birdy said as she remembered her thought from earlier. "It's very you."

Alex laughed, her flushed cheeks already showing signs of being tipsy, and grinned widely at Birdy. "What does that mean?"

"It smells…sweet and sexy," Birdy said thoughtfully as she gazed at Alex. "You're both of those things."

"Dang," Alex laughed, feeling very flattered and slightly bashful. "That's the kind of line that guarantees you a little extra at the end of the date."

Birdy laughed loudly and shook her head in denial. "That wasn't a line! Just an honest observation and I'm sure you've heard all kinds of things."

Alex smiled coyly and sipped her wine. "I've definitely heard my fair share of compliments. They don't all get as favorable of a reaction as you did."

Birdy smiled at Alex, feeling comfortable and emboldened. "Can I ask you something else while we're on the subject?"

"Ooh," Alex drawled with an amused laugh. "I see what you're about now, you plied me with alcohol so you could find out all my secrets."

"If it works, it works," Birdy joked with a playful wink.

"All right then," Alex conceded with a smile. "What's your question?"

"I don't know how to really say this," Birdy hesitated, as she tried to find the right words. "Ravyn."

Alex chortled into her wine glass, choking slightly herself. "What about her?"

"I wouldn't have thought she was your type," Birdy continued.

Alex smirked and nodded in understanding. "What would you expect my type to be? This is usually the part where the other person answers 'you'."

Birdy chuckled and stuck her tongue out at Alex. "Sorry to disappoint you but I'm going to go in a different direction. It's just that you're so lovely and she's…not."

Alex chuckled, unbelievably amused by the turn the conversation had taken. "Ravyn is just a casual hook-up and sometimes coworker, all that really matters is that we're sexually compatible."

"So, what is your type then?" Birdy pushed.

"My type is straight or emotionally unavailable," Alex answered wryly. "Which is a joke but not really. What about you?"

Birdy thought about it for a moment before sipping her wine and shrugging. "I don't actually know, I've only ever been with Dale."

"That's so crazy to me," Alex said in a non-judgmental tone. "Then again, I'm a bit of a sl*t."

Birdy burst into raucous laughter. "You're right though, I should think about my type for whenever I'm ready to date. I don't even know how to date!"

Alex chuckled slightly and shot Birdy an empathetic smile. "In this area, I'll be your unofficial tour guide. I've been friends with Gemma and Kit long enough that I can give advice on men."

"I'll remember this when I'm ready to get out there," Birdy said with a laugh. "Right now, I think I'm going to just focus on myself and my business."

"That's right girl," Alex said in an approving tone. "The perfect man will find you at the perfect time."

"Eurgh," Birdy groaned. "Change of subject!"

"Well," Alex said with a mischievous grin. "We could have dinner?"

"Oh right," Birdy laughed. "I got so wrapped up in the conversation that I completely forgot."

"I'll forgive you for that because it smells absolutely amazing," Alex complimented as she smiled at Birdy, both of them in the same positions still.

"I hope it tastes as good as it smells," Birdy answered humbly.

"If that last dinner is any indication, you're a bomb cook," Alex reassured Birdy. "Thank you for cooking again, by the way."

"I just wanted to do something nice for you," Birdy said with a bashful smile before finally moving away from the counter and dishing up two plates of food.

"Do you need any help?" Alex asked from her comfortable position on the counter, evidently very relaxed from the wine.

"I've got it, thanks," Birdy replied as she focused on her task.

"Next question," Alex said with a slight chuckle. "Is there more wine?"