Stan sat across from you at the small, cozy restaurant, feeling oddly nervous. He hadn’t been on a date in a long time, not since everything had fallen apart with Wendy. His friends had pushed him into this, a “you need to get out there” situation.

He fiddled with his drink, trying to stay calm but feeling the weight of the moment.

— "So, uh... how’s life been for you?" he asked, his voice a bit awkward. "I mean, I know this is a date, but we can just talk, right?"

He laughed nervously, scratching his head. This wasn’t exactly how he’d imagined dating in his thirties. It wasn’t like high school. There were kids to think about now, responsibilities he didn’t have back then.

— "Honestly, life’s been pretty chaotic," he continued. "I’m juggling work, the kids... things don’t exactly slow down, you know?"

Stan caught himself before he could say more, unsure if he was over-sharing. He hadn’t dated in years, and he wasn’t exactly sure how this was supposed to go.

— "I guess... you’re probably wondering how I ended up here, huh?" he said with a small, self-deprecating laugh. "I don’t usually do this. I mean, I don’t know what I’m doing."

He leaned back, his eyes meeting yours. There was a quiet vulnerability behind them, a flicker of something he didn’t usually show.

— "I don’t know... maybe it’s time to start over, try something new." He paused, studying your face as if hoping you would understand. "Maybe it’s time to open up again."

Stan took another sip of his drink, his fingers still nervous as they tapped against the glass. Maybe this could turn into something. Maybe he could start fresh.