"What are the odds?" I let out a bitter laugh. "Yep. Well, my ex, Jordan, showed up first."
"Jordan?" Elena's expression darkened. "The one who?—"
"Yeah. That Jordan." I didn't want to rehash the details of that particular disaster. "He tried to chat me up, act like nothing happened. When I told him to fuck off, he grabbed my wrist."
Meredith straightened. "He what?"
"It's fine. Didn't even leave a mark." I glanced down at my wrist, which was already back to normal. "Because my other ex happened to be there and intervened."
Sofia's eyes went wide. "Wait. Another ex? Who?"
"Eric." Just saying his name made my chest tight. "Eric Hale."
Elena's expression shifted to recognition. "Eric? I remember him. You guys dated for, what, six months?"
"Seven." The correction came automatically. "And then he texted me that he had to leave for work and ghosted me. No phone call, no explanation. Just... gone."
"Ouch." Sofia winced. "That's cold."
"So what happened?" Meredith asked. "When he saw Jordan grabbing you?"
I closed my eyes, replaying the scene. "He told Jordan to leave me alone essentially. Jordan tried to punch him. Eric put him on the floor. Fast."
"Damn." Sofia grinned. "A knight in shining armor. How sweet."
I scoffed. "Sweet? He abandoned me four years ago. Over text. No warning, no conversation, just 'I have to go away for work' and then radio silence. Blocked my number and everything. Vanished from social media. That was all the explanation I got."
I wasn't about to go into the details of how I'd thought we were on the brink of moving in together because he was at my place most nights after he finished his construction job.
The technician working on my nails paused, clearly listening despite trying to look professional. I didn't care. Let her hear about what a mess my love life was.
Elena tilted her head. "I remember him though. He seemed nice whenever I met him. Different from your other boyfriends."
"Different how?" Meredith asked. She'd heard enough of my tragic past thanks to a few other girls' nights.
"I don't know. Calmer. More... present, I guess? Like he actually listened when you talked instead of just waiting for his turn to speak. I thought he was nice, actually cared."
That stung because it was true. Eric had been different. Attentive. Thoughtful. Caring. Loving. I fought my instincts to sabotage the relationship so much because it was unfamiliar, wanting to believe I could actually have something good. It had been perfect;hehad been perfect. Right up until he wasn't.
"Well, he left." I took another sip of wine. "So whatever nice qualities he had, they didn't matter much in the end."
Meredith studied me with those sharp green eyes. "But he defended you tonight. And you said he didn't even know it was you at first?"
"He said he didn't."
"Then maybe he has some good traits still." Meredith's voice was gentle. "I'm not saying you should forgive him. Just... maybe he's not all bad?"
Elena shook her head. "Leaving someone in the lurch like that is a no-no though. Doesn't matter how nice he seemed before."
"Exactly." I nodded. "Which is why I told him to go to hell and left."
Sofia laughed. "Good for you."
"Yeah, well." I stared at my half-finished manicure. "Clearly I'm just destined to be alone. Can't pick a decent guy to save my life."
"That's not true." Elena squeezed my shoulder. "You've just had some bad luck."
"Bad luck is an understatement." But I smiled despite myself. "Okay, so how do we fix this? I need a good man. Where do I find one?"
