Chapter 4

THE NIGHT WE MET 3

CHAPTER 3

Tayo parked by the water, view of the island glittering. "You okay with this?" he asked, turning to Aisha. Her smile was answer enough. They talked – work, dreams, fears – the night shrinking to just them.

As they chatted, Tayo's fingers brushed against Aisha's, sending sparks through her fingers. She didn't pull away, and he took it as a sign to keep going. They talked about everything and nothing, the city lights twinkling like stars above.

Eventually, Tayo turned to her, his eyes serious. "Want to see the real Lagos?" he asked, a mischievous glitch in his smile. Aisha's heart skipped. "What did you have in mind?" she asked, playing along.

Tayo's grin was answer enough. He started the car, and they drove through the city's pulse, ending up at a hidden beach on the outskirts. The waves crashed, and the stars shone bright. Aisha felt alive.

They walked the shore, sand between toes, talking until the first light of dawn crept in. Tayo turned to her, his voice low. "This night... it felt like something, right?" Aisha nodded, her heart loud.

Tayo leaned in, his lips brushing hers. The kiss was soft, curious, and full of promise. Aisha kissed back, the world narrowing to just them.

As the sun broke, Tayo pulled away, smiling. "I'll walk you home." Aisha nodded, her heart still fluttering.

They walked in comfortable silence, the city waking up around them. At Aisha's doorstep, Tayo leaned in again, his lips grazing her ear. "Sleep tight, Aisha. This isn't goodbye."

Aisha smiled, feeling like she was floating. "Definitely not goodbye," she whispered back.

Tayo grinned, turned, and walked away, leaving Aisha to drift into her apartment, her heart still racing. She leaned against the door, a goofy smile plastered on her face. Lagos had just gotten a whole lot more interesting.

The next morning, Aisha woke to her phone buzzing. Tayo's message lit up her screen: _Morning beautiful. Breakfast?_ Aisha's heart skipped again. She typed back: _Where and when?_

Tayo replied instantly: _Cafe St Germain, Victoria Island. 9 AM._

Aisha smiled, typing: _I'll be there._

She spent the morning getting ready, her mind racing with possibilities. At 8:55 AM, she stepped out of her building, hailing a taxi to Victoria Island.

Cafe St Germain was buzzing when she arrived. Tayo was already there, sipping coffee, looking like he'd just stepped out of a magazine. Aisha's heart did flips.

Tayo stood, pulling out her chair. "Morning," he said, his voice low.

Aisha smiled, sitting down. "Morning."

They ordered, talked, laughed. The morning flew by in a blur of coffee and conversation. As they finished, Tayo reached for her hand again, his touch sending shivers.

"Aisha?" he asked, his eyes serious.

"Yeah?" she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Tayo smiled. "Want to do this again?"

Aisha's heart soared. "Definitely."

Tayo squeezed her hand. "Good. Me too."