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He considered this for a moment and shrugged. “Well, Jennifer wanted to date other people over our break. She shouldn’t be upset if I am.”

He didn’t seem all that upset himself. Was that because he didn’t mind making Jennifer jealous or… She wouldn’t let herself grow hopeful.

They went back to working on her homework.

None of the questions on the worksheet mentioned the time it took to run a business, but as Marlowe worked, it was never far from her mind. How many people put in those hours and then saw their businesses fail anyway? What kept them going and was it worth it? While she tucked the homework into her bag, she asked, “Do you have a vision board too?”

He stretched his arms, toned biceps flexing. “Nah, I just have the lifelong goal to stop living in Carson’s and Lucas’s shadows. That’s always been enough to motivate me.”

Her head snapped to him. “You’re not living in their shadows.”

“I’m not anymore,” he said as though it was obvious. “But growing up in Lark Springs, yeah, that’s basically what I did every day.”

She stared at him, her mouth hanging open in disbelief. “Half the girls in the school idolized you, as in I’ll-have-your-baby level of adoration, and you thought you somehow didn’t measure up?”

His expression said he didn’t believe her. “Carson was a sports star and Lucas looked like me but got the deluxe version of personality. I was always going to come in third place unless I did something meaningful with my life.”

Seriously, that’s what he thought? She lifted her hands in frustration. “What are you talking about? Half the girls in the school can’t be wrong.”

A smile curved his lips. “I appreciate that vote of confidence from the half of the girls who had low standards.”

Marlowe turned to him, arms folded. “Stop being so condescending about their adoration when you know I was firmly in the I’ll-have-your-baby camp.”

He raised his eyebrows, and his smile became a smirk. “Uh, you never said anything like that in high school. I would’ve remembered that conversation.”

“I didn’t mean literally.” Although lately, yeah, literally was accurate. She leaned back in her chair. “Well, at least I understand why you keep dating Jennifer. She’s the trophy girlfriend on your mental vision board who proves you’ve arrived. Rich, beautiful, and ambitious. She doesn’t need a personality because she’s just a picture.”

His head jerked back as though she’d insulted him. Which she supposed she had. And now she couldn’t take the words back.

“Jennifer’s not just a picture,” he said.

“I was speaking figuratively.”

“I didn’t choose her for her looks or bank account.”

Marlowe should have kept her mouth shut. Being impulsive was going to be her downfall. “I’m sorry. I’m just saying you don’t have to prove your worth to anyone. You never did.”

“She has a personality.” He cleared his throat uncomfortably. “I mean, okay, she’s not perfect, but she has a personality.”

A ringing endorsement. “I shouldn’t have passed judgment.”

He hesitated as though he was about to say more, then he checked his watch and stood up. “It’s late. I should go.”

It was the same thing he said to her last week when she kissed him and made him uncomfortable. Apparently, he only had two modes. Nice guy and It’s late. I’ve got to go.

She saw him to the door, thanked him again for his help and for sitting with her grandmother. And after he left, she deflated like a balloon. She was never going to be the girl on his vision board.

CHAPTER 17

Jace thought about calling Jennifer on the way home. That would’ve been the polite thing to do, but somehow, he just couldn’t bring himself to. Marlowe’s words kept going through his mind. Jennifer is the trophy girlfriend on your mental vision board who proves you’ve arrived.

Marlowe wasn’t right, was she?

He hadn’t consciously gone after Jennifer because of her looks or wealth. And her ambition was just a byproduct of her being at med school with him. Everyone there was ambitious. Half a dozen guys had been circling around Jennifer last year, vying for her attention. Jace had felt special, elevated, because she’d chosen him. He was the guy who usually came in third place in his own family. Fourth, if you counted the way his parents doted on Elsie, because she was the youngest and the only girl in the family.

At any rate, Jace had dated Jennifer because they had a lot in common. They still had that. The same drive, the same schedule. He’d always been secure in the knowledge that she wouldn’t demand much from him because they both knew how important their grades were. Studying with her had been quiet and comfortable.

His mind went to Marlowe and their study sessions. Those hadn’t been quiet. They not only talked about business but kept getting sidetracked to other subjects.