Second Chance

Chapter Four

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Andrew Carter sat in a cozy corner of the bar, holding a glass of sparkling water while his friends, Madison Locke and Darius Jones, enjoyed their drinks. Andrew appreciated the company, even if he wasn't drinking alcohol with them.

"Hey Drew" Darius said, raising his glass. "You sure you don't want just a sip? Not sure how this works, but are you really not supposed to drink just a little bit?"

Andrew gave a small smile. "No Darius, it doesn't work like that. I'm fine with sparkling water. Really, as long as I'm with you guys."

"Aww," Madison and Darius said  in unison, smiling at Andrew.

Madison changed the topic smoothly, leaning back in her chair. "So, Drew, tell us about your students. Any interesting projects going on?"

Andrew's face lit up, and he leaned forward, eager to share. "Actually yeah. One of my students, May Hart, wrote this amazing essay. I'm so proud of it. We decided to submit it to a contest in Europe."

"That's amazing" Madison said with genuine interest. "Tell us more about May."

"Well, she's bright and determined, always pushing herself to do better. She's got this unique perspective on things, which really shows in her writing. I was just talking to her mom recently about it. She's a great kid."

Madison's eyebrows shot up. "Her mom? What's her mom like?"

Andrew smiled, recalling his recent encounter with Havana. "She's... really impressive, strong, smart, and caring. You can see where May gets it. She's a doctor, but she has this aura about her that's really... commanding, but warm."

Madison's eyes widened in recognition. "Wait, are you talking about Havana Hart? She works as a doctor, right?"

Andrew blinked, taken aback. "Yeah, you know her?"

Madison laughed, shaking her head in shock. "What a small world, Vana is one of my best friends."

Darius chuckled. "Seriously? Really small world."

Andrew looked between his friends, shocked. "Vana, huh" he though to himslef. "How come you've never talked to me about her?"

Madison shrugged, a smile on her face. "I didn't know you two would be a thing."

"A thing?" Andrew repeated, confused. "We're not a thing."

Madison raised an eyebrow, her smile widening. "Could've fooled me. The way you describe her, it sounds like your in love."

Andrew laughed it off, though he felt a flicker of something like butterflies in his stomach. "I barely know the woman. And plus, it would be inappropriate."

Darius looked confused. "Why would it be inappropriate?"

Hen's expression softened. "Because she's divorced, and you're a... widow?" She stopped herself, realizing what she just said.

Darius quickly bumped her arm, trying to lighten the moment. "Yeah, but that doesn't mean you can't find happiness again, right?"

Andrew sighed, appreciating the concern but not wanting to keep talking about this topic. "It's not that simple. I'm not sure I'm ready for something like that again. And I'm not even sure she'd be interested."

Madison placed a comforting hand on Andrew's arm. "Andrew, you deserve to be happy. And from what I know of Vana, she's an incredible woman. Just... don't let go of the possibility."

Andrew nodded, though he didn't fully like the idea.

The conversation shifted to Darius with telling them with stories from work, and Madison sharing about her family. But Andrew's thoughts kept drifting back to Havana and their recent encounter. He remembered the way she'd smiled at him, the sparkle in her brown eyes, and the easy conversation they shared.