After the Lagos conference, Ethan had returned abroad to wrap up his editorial projects. He and Destiny kept in touch calls, texts, and late-night conversations that became part of her days.
Even with miles between them, their connection only grew stronger. He often sent her tips about writing, and she shared her progress with him.
So when her phone buzzed that morning with a message saying "Guess who just landed in Abuja?", Destiny almost dropped her coffee.
Destiny: "No way! You're kidding!"
Ethan: "I'd never joke about that. I'm here for good this time."
Destiny stared at her screen, smiling. She quickly called him.
"Ethan! You really moved?"
"Yup," he said, laughing. "They finalized my transfer. I start work next week. Figured I could use some fresh air and maybe, better company."
"Better company, huh?" she teased. "You mean jollof rice and pepper soup."
"Exactly. And maybe someone who promised to teach me how to handle Nigerian pepper."
Destiny laughed. "You're brave. That pepper can make you cry real tears."
"Then I'll bring milk. Problem solved."
They both burst into laughter.
A week later, they met at a cozy café in town. Destiny arrived first, wearing a simple floral dress and her natural hair packed in a bun. She was sipping pineapple juice when she saw Ethan walk in.
He spotted her instantly and grinned.
"Look who's glowing more than ever," he said, pulling a chair.
"And look who finally survived the Nigerian heat," she replied, laughing. "Welcome back."
"It's good to see you again, Destiny."
"You too, Ethan."
They ordered lunch and talked for hours about his new job, her growing writing audience, and all the little things that made life interesting.
"So," Ethan said, "tell me about your next book idea."
"Hmm," Destiny said, sipping her drink. "It's called Winds of Change. It's about a woman who rebuilds her life after heartbreak, learns to trust again, and finds love where she least expects it."
Ethan smiled knowingly. "Sounds familiar."
"Maybe a little," Destiny said shyly. "But stories come from the heart, right?"
"They do," Ethan said softly. "And your heart tells the most beautiful stories I've ever read."
Her cheeks warmed. She looked down, smiling.
"You're too smooth, Ethan."
"I'm honest," he said, holding her gaze.
For a moment, silence wrapped them not awkward, but full of quiet understanding.
As weeks passed, Ethan became part of Destiny's daily routine. They'd text each morning, check in during lunch breaks, and talk late into the night. Sometimes, they shared their struggles her deadlines, his work stress but they always found a way to make each other laugh.
One night, Destiny called him out of the blue.
"Hey," she said softly.
"Hey. You sound tired."
"A little. I've been writing all day. My brain feels fried."
"Want me to read it for you?"
"You'd do that?"
"Of course. Send it over."
She sent him the file, and minutes later, he started reading it aloud over the phone his voice calm, warm, and soothing.
When he finished, there was silence.
"You okay?" he asked.
"Yeah," she whispered. "It's just hearing you read it like that made me emotional."
"That's because you write from a place of truth," he said. "And truth touches the heart."
Destiny smiled, wiping a tear.
"You always know what to say, Ethan."
"Only when it's about you."
Her heart skipped.
Days turned into weeks, and their friendship deepened into something unspoken but real. Destiny found herself thinking of him at random times when she wrote a romantic scene, when she saw something funny, even when she cooked.
Cynthia noticed the change immediately.
"You've been smiling at your phone like a teenager," Cynthia teased over a video call.
"Stop it," Destiny laughed. "We're just friends."
"Mhm. Friends who text every hour and make each other blush?"
"Cynthia!" Destiny groaned, covering her face.
"I'm just saying, girl. Love might be knocking again don't run from it this time."
Destiny sighed, smiling. "We'll see."
One Friday evening, Ethan showed up unexpectedly at her door with takeout and a smile.
"Thought you might need a break from writing," he said.
"Ethan, you didn't have to"
"Shh," he interrupted. "It's your favorite fried rice and grilled chicken."
They ate together, laughing and chatting. After dinner, they sat outside on the porch, watching the sunset.
"This is peaceful," Ethan said quietly.
"It is," Destiny agreed. "Sometimes, I forget how beautiful quiet moments can be."
"You bring calm with you, Destiny. Everything feels lighter when you're around."
"And you bring chaos," she joked, smiling.
"Good chaos?"
"Maybe."
He chuckled softly, then turned to her.
"You know," he said, his tone gentler now, "ever since I met you, I've seen life differently. You make people believe in second chances even me."
Destiny met his eyes, her heart full.
"Maybe that's what we're all looking for," she said softly. "A second chance."
For a long moment, they sat there no words, just the cool evening breeze and the quiet rhythm of two hearts slowly finding home.
That night, after Ethan left, Destiny wrote in her journal:
"Maybe love doesn't rush. Maybe it arrives softly, like dawn breaking after a long night steady, calm, and certain. And maybe this time, I'm ready to let it stay."