It was true. I was a chronic dumper. The one time I was dumped—she honestly beat me to the punch. No woman could meet my very specific standards. How was I supposed to pick and settle for a second best when I’d experienced the best? There was no way Jules would understand.
“I’m picky.” I dropped the knife in the sink and finished lining the cupcakes on a tray.
“You’re breaking hearts, Jack.”
A frown pulled at my face. Wasn’t fond of the accusation. “That makes me sound like a womanizer.”
“I know you’re not.” She shook her head. “But Katelyn was into you.Long terminto you.”
Couldn’t argue with her there. I’d had three nasty break ups. Kate’s ranked at number three. I’d seen worse, but that one was rough.
“I thought Katelyn might end the streak,” Jules whined. “What happened? She seemed so sweet. She was gorgeous and ambitious and had good tastes and?—”
“And also didn’t want a family.”
Her shoulders fell. “Really?”
“Not kids anyway.”
“Oh.”
“No point in being together if we don’t want the same things.”
“How did you not know that?”
I rolled my eyes.
“What?”
“You haven’t been in the dating scene since high school.”
“Pat and I dated.”
“Whatever you two did wasnotdating.”
She huffed but didn’t argue.
“There are unspoken rules. You don’t ask ‘how many kids do you want’ waiting for the appetizer.” Jules had long ago abandoned my glass of sweet tea, so I finished the pour myself. “Katelyn had talked about settling down. Like an idiot, I assumed she meant family. What sheactuallymeant was that she wants to be a pampered wife and own a dog in a nice house in Franklin.”
Jules grimaced. “I’m sorry.”
How many times had Jules and I had this exact conversation? Jules felt like every girl I took to dinner could be wife material.
“Yeah, me too. I know you guys are probably ready for me to stop hanging around.”
She sat up straight, intensity furrowing her brow. “Don’t you dare say that.”
I smirked. Knew that would get a rise out of her.
“You are always welcome here.” She rolled her shoulders, adjusting the baby carrier strap as silence settled between us. “Are you okay?”
Such a dumb question.
“It’s okay to not be okay, you know.”
That response had Pat written all over it. If I remember correctly, we were raised to be tough as nails. I tried for sarcasm. “Moose Tracks and Days of Our Lives help me cope.”
“Jack.”
