A'ja and Serayah's relationship had grown into something beautiful. Their connection deepened with every shared laugh, quiet moment, and open conversation. Wanting to introduce Serayah to more of the people she held close, A'ja planned a double date with her best friend, Chelsea, and Chelsea's wife, Tipesa.
The evening promised laughter, good food, and a chance to let loose.
The date began at Bistro Bella, a charming restaurant tucked away in the city. The ambiance was perfect—soft jazz played in the background, candles flickered on every table, and the air carried the aroma of freshly baked bread and sautéed garlic.
A'ja and Serayah arrived first, their hands intertwined as they admired the restaurant's intimate atmosphere.
"You outdid yourself, baby," Serayah said, looking around with an approving smile.
"I only want the best for you," A'ja replied, brushing a stray curl from Serayah's face.
A few minutes later, Chelsea and Tipesa walked in. Chelsea, tall and stylish in a tailored olive-green blazer, immediately waved with a grin. Her wife, Tipesa, followed close behind, wearing a yellow dress that seemed to radiate warmth.
"Look at y'all," Chelsea said, pulling A'ja into a hug before turning to Serayah. "And you must be Serayah. Girl, you're even more gorgeous than A'ja let on."
Serayah smiled shyly, shaking Chelsea's hand. "Thank you. It's so nice to finally meet you."
As they settled into their booth, the conversation flowed effortlessly. Chelsea's boisterous personality balanced perfectly with Tipesa's calm demeanor. They ordered appetizers—calamari, bruschetta, and spinach artichoke dip—and started sharing stories.
"So," Chelsea said, leaning back with a mischievous grin, "A'ja, when are you gonna pop the question? Don't keep us waiting forever now."
A'ja laughed, glancing at Serayah, who raised an eyebrow playfully. "Sooner rather than later," A'ja said, winking at Chelsea.
"Good," Chelsea said, nodding approvingly. "Serayah, I'm gonna need you to make sure she stays on schedule."
The table erupted into laughter, and A'ja leaned in to kiss Serayah on the cheek. "She's not going anywhere," she said softly, earning an affectionate smile from Serayah.
Midway through the meal, Chelsea and Tipesa shared a story that had everyone crying with laughter.
"It was our third date," Chelsea began, shaking her head at the memory. "Tipesa here decided to impress me with a home-cooked meal. She invited me over, all confident, telling me she was gonna whip up the best lasagna I'd ever had."
"I was trying to be romantic!" Tipesa protested, laughing.
Chelsea raised a hand to stop her. "Let me finish, babe. So, I walk into her apartment, and the kitchen looks like a war zone. There's sauce splattered on the walls, flour on the floor, and smoke billowing out of the oven."
"What happened?" Serayah asked, eyes wide with amusement.
Tipesa groaned, covering her face. "I forgot to boil the noodles before layering them in the lasagna. And I didn't realize you can't just bake raw noodles and expect them to turn out okay."
Chelsea leaned in, grinning. "Y'all, it was a crunchy lasagna. Crunchy. Like, I took one bite, and my teeth almost broke."
The entire table erupted into laughter, Serayah nearly choking on her drink.
"But you stayed with me anyway," Tipesa said, giving Chelsea a pointed look.
Chelsea leaned over to kiss her wife's cheek. "Of course I did. I knew you were a keeper. Just not in the kitchen."
