**Chapter 2: A Chance Encounter**

The sun was still shining brightly outside Joe's diner, casting a warm glow over the bustling streets of Coconut Grove. Dorothy, Rose, Blanche, and Sophia were enjoying their Happy Hour treat – a slice of their famous cheesecake and a glass of wine. The conversation had turned to their favorite books, with Rose discussing the merits of romance novels and Blanche extolling the virtues of historical fiction. As they chatted, the door to the diner swung open, and the handsome stranger who had caught Dorothy's eye earlier walked in. He scanned the room, his eyes locking onto Dorothy once again. This time, he smiled, and Dorothy felt a flutter in her chest. The stranger got up from the counter and made his way to their booth, his eyes never leaving Dorothy's face. "Mind if I join you?" he asked, his voice low and smooth. Dorothy hesitated for a moment, unsure if she wanted to encourage this charming stranger. But there was something about him that put her at ease, so she smiled and said, "Not at all. I'm Dorothy, and these are my friends Rose, Blanche, and Sophia." The stranger introduced himself as Lucas, and the girls welcomed him into their circle. As they chatted, Dorothy discovered that Lucas was a literature professor at the local university, and they quickly found common ground discussing everything from Shakespeare to 20th-century poetry. Rose, Blanche, and Sophia listened intently, enjoying the easy banter between Dorothy and Lucas. They exchanged knowing glances, sensing the chemistry between the two. As they talked, Lucas learned that Dorothy was a writer, working on her latest novel. He was impressed by her talent and her wit, and Dorothy found herself feeling more and more at ease in his presence. The conversation flowed effortlessly, with Lucas and Dorothy laughing and joking like old friends. The girls watched, smiling, as the two of them connected on a deep level. As the evening wore on, Lucas glanced at his watch and said, "I'm so sorry, but I have to go. I have an early class tomorrow, and I promised my students I'd be prepared." Dorothy walked him to the door, feeling a pang of disappointment that their time together was ending. But as they said their goodbyes, Lucas asked, "Would you like to grab coffee with me sometime? I'd love to continue our conversation." Dorothy's heart skipped a beat as she smiled and said, "I'd love to." As Lucas walked out of the diner, the girls turned to Dorothy, their faces alight with excitement. "Well, well, well," Blanche said, raising an eyebrow. "Look what we have here. Someone's caught your eye, Dorothy!" Dorothy blushed, trying to play it cool. "Oh, don't be ridiculous. He's just a nice guy, and we had a nice conversation." But Sophia wasn't fooled. "Don't worry, dear, we won't tease you... yet. But mark my words, that young man is trouble. Or, at the very least, a very interesting development." The girls laughed, and Dorothy couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement about the possibility of a new romance. Little did she know, her life was about to take a dramatic turn, one that would lead to love, marriage, and a very unexpected twist.