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Had Jennifer always been this condescending? He knew the answer to that. He’d just always seen her attitude as confidence before. “I hope it lasts,” he said.

Anger snapped in Jennifer’s eyes, making them go hard. “Why would you want it to? You don’t have anything in common. The girl didn’t even finish college.”

“How do you know that?” Jace asked. That sort of thing wasn’t on Marlowe’s social media.

Jennifer rolled her eyes like it was obvious. “Once I saw she was hitting on my boyfriend, I researched her.”

Jace gritted his teeth and tried for inward patience. “You and I broke up, Jen. That means I’m not your boyfriend anymore. You don’t need to concern yourself about who I’m seeing.”

Jennifer scoffed like it wasn’t a point worth fighting about. “Think of your future for a minute. Picture yourself in all the educated, sophisticated circles we’ll have access to. Do you really want to introduce your friends to Miss College Dropout?”

“I’ll happily introduce her to everyone so they can see how amazing she is.”

Jennifer pursed her lips like she thought he was being ridiculous. “A hair stylist from a Podunk town?”

“Marlowe is more than her job.” As the words came out of Jace’s mouth, he realized how true they were. Jennifer would always define herself by her career and so would always give most of her time and attention to it.

Marlowe prioritized relationships. She was good with people. It was why clients went to her for conversation and connection, why her grandmother depended on her, and why she’d been able to win over his family despite the stories he’d told about her. It was why Marlowe, who wanted her own business, was willing to put that dream on hold to have children. She valued relationships more than money.

Two things became clear to Jace at that moment. Number one, Marlowe was a catch, and number two, he was going to catch her. Four years, hundreds of miles, and every other obstacle to their relationship didn’t prevent either of those things from being true. He was irrevocably in love with her.

Jennifer kept talking, but he hardly listened. A car was coming down the street. He recognized Riley behind the wheel and saw the concern on her face as she noticed Jennifer. She parked slowly.

“Look.” Jace cut into Jennifer’s monologue about how they shouldn’t throw away the time and effort they’d already put into their relationship. “I’m sorry you came all this way. I’m sorry I didn’t answer your calls. I should have let you know that the breakup was permanent. But I think we’ve said everything that we need to on the subject.”

Her head jolted, shaking in disbelief. “That’s it? I came to Montana to tell you I would be self-sacrificing, and you’re just going to end things?” She drew a sharp breath, nostrils flaring. “It’s your family, isn’t it? I accidentally offended your mother once, and instead of getting over it, your family turned you against me.” She lifted her chin imperiously. “We could’ve had an amazing life together. I’ll still have that life. You’ll just have a good haircut.” She spun on her heel, stormed off to her car, and called over her shoulder, “I hope you’re happy with your petty family, low-class friends, and white trash girlfriend!”

Very mature.

She climbed into her car, slammed the door for extra effect, and peeled away from the house. Riley cautiously got out of her car, watching Jennifer speed down the road. “So I guess that didn’t go well.”

“Depends on your definition of well.”

It wasn’t until Riley reached Jace that he saw she was holding her phone and texting someone. “I’m letting Marlowe know she doesn’t have to come over after all.”

Jace’s gaze snapped to her phone. “You told Marlowe that Jennifer was here?”

“Yes,” Riley said like it was obvious. “That’s what low-class friends do. We tell your white trash girlfriend that she needs to come over and fight for you.”

He’d just been deciding to skip out on dinner to go see her. “Wait, is she on her way here?”

“No,” Riley said, reading her messages. “She didn’t want a cat fight.” Using voice-to-text, Riley spoke into her phone, “What kind of trailer park princess are you that you won’t do some hair-pulling for your man?”

She sent the message and turned back to Jace. “Sorry, but you didn’t really expect me to let Jennifer’s new titles for us go unused, did you? I’m practically part of your petty family. We’ll be bandying around those names for years.”

“Great,” Jace said. His keys were in his pocket. “Tell the rest of my petty family that I’m going to Marlowe’s.”

The door to the house opened, and his mother peeked out, scanning the area. Lucas stood behind her. His mother peered down the street. “Was Jennifer just here?”

“Here and left,” Jace said.

“I told you it was her,” Lucas said. “I could feel my twin senses going off in alarm. And also, Riley messaged me.”

Riley nodded and slipped her phone back in her pocket. “You missed Jennifer calling Marlowe white trash.”

His mother stiffened in offense, her mouth opening and clacking shut. “The nerve. Marlowe is twice the woman Jennifer will ever be. I hope you put her in her place.”

“Oh, I think she understands her place now—firmly in the Regrettable Exes Hall of Fame.” The question was, did Marlowe understand hers?