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“But she gave you a key, right?”

I roll my eyes in the dark. “Not literally. Metaphorically, she’s not letting me in. I’m getting nowhere.”

“No fucking idea why you’re coming to me with this. You know my track record with women,” he says on a yawn. “Just tell her you love her or something.”

“Yeah, that’s not going to work here. She doesn’t want me to love her.”

“How do you work that one out?”

“Because her parents don’t, so she thinks, why would anyone else.”

“And you know this for a fact.”

“Yeah. It was pretty clear from the delightful encounter I had with them in their study today.”

“Shit.”

“They’re a piece of work, bro, both of them.”

Jessie blows a breath down the phone. I know this is close to home for him. I can practically hear his memory whirling, recalling what happened in Dallas. “Well, you know how it endedup for me when I tried to take the parents on. I’m not the best guy to come to for positive affirmations or advice.” He pauses. “I can give you a step-by-step guide on whatnotto do.”

“Yeah, I think I’ve got that part nailed down, man.”

“Look, just keep supporting her. That’s all you can do. It might be that she genuinely doesn’t want anything more than a good friendship with you.”

I flinch. “I won’t consider that as a possibility.”

“I think you have to. She freely admits she doesn’t do relationships. I’m going to be real honest with you here.” Jessie pauses. “But first, I need you to promise you won’t go off at me for saying it.”

I might. “I won’t. Shoot.”

“How much of this is how you feel about her versus your need to prove Lauren was an idiot for leaving you...which she was, by the way.”

Fuck, apparently this conversation is about to hit close to home for us both. “I have no doubts about my feelings for Kate. The more time I spend with her, the more I want her in my life and not just my bed.”

“So I’m way off with the Lauren part?”

“Yes,” I bite out.

Kate isn’t like Lauren; I know she isn’t. We’re meant to be.

“It’s just that for years you’ve said love, marriage, and commitment are a waste of time and bound to end in heartbreak and?—”

“I know what I’ve always said.” I cut him off, my uneasiness growing as he edges too close to the insecurities I’ve fought to hide.

“I’m not saying she’s not the one for you. I’m just saying if you aren’t for her, then it’s not a reflection on you. You’re a good guy, and Lauren was in the wrong. That shit is bound to leave scars.”

I grip at the roots of my hair. “Okay, I think I’m done with this conversation.”

“I’m not trying to upset you, man; I just wouldn’t be a great friend if I didn’t ask. It feels like you’re pushing so hard to get the girl, and yeah, I get that, but also to prove a point that Lauren was a one-off. You haven’t thrown your hat in the ring until now.”

“I haven’t up until now because until she started carrying my babies, I was convinced I didn’t stand a chance with her.” My shoulders slump in defeat. “I probably still don’t.”

“What are you going to do if it doesn’t work out?”

That’s one thing I am dead certain of. “Easy. Love the shit out of my kids and try not to bury any guy who fucking looks at her.”

He snorts a laugh. “You’re borderline unhinged, you know that?”