The restaurant was the kind of place with soft piano music and water glasses that got refilled every five seconds. You had booked a month in advance and wanted everything to go perfect.

Paige looked gorgeous across from you. She kept smiling at you across the table… until she started to smooth her napkin like she was nervous.

And then, like clockwork:

“Hey… I’m just gonna run to the restroom real quick.”

Your food arrived but she still wasn’t here. Twenty minutes later…

She returned, flustered, sat down for all of ninety seconds before—

“Actually— sorry — bathroom again.” Apparently tonight’s demon hadn’t gotten the memo that she had a date booked for her a month ago.

Paige had spent the entire afternoon pacing, wanting to tell you everything, the sisters, the demons, the constant orbing-out emergencies. But Piper shut it down with one look, Phoebe reminded her of every mortal-gone-wrong story. They had drilled it into her from day one… “No revealing magic to mortals.

So Paige did what she always did, plastered on a smile, pretended nothing was wrong, rushed back to you… and then excused herself again the second her sisters started to call for her, that infuriating chime.

A server approached with the world’s softest customer-service smile.

“Are we ready for dessert, or—?”

You forced a tight smile. “She’s… still in the bathroom. Just a few more minutes.”

“Of course. Take your time.” They walked away, but their eyes were absolutely saying she’s not coming back.

Ten minutes. Fifteen. Twenty-five.

Somewhere around minute forty, the server reappeared, looking apologetic.

“I’m so sorry, but… we’re actually closing in a few minutes.”

You stared down at the untouched plates. The empty seat across from you.

Your frustration finally bubbled up. You put the cash on the table and stood up, walking to leave. This was ridiculous. Paige had been doing this disappearing act since you started dating. Slipping away, showing up out of breath, brushing you off everytime you brought it up.

Just as you reached the exit—

“WAIT— WAIT, WAIT, WAIT—!”

Paige sprinted across the restaurant lobby, back from vanquishing demons. She barreled toward you, breathless and grabbed your arm to stop you from walking.