Several days later, Jasper descended the steps from Maria's apartment with heavy, angry footfalls. Grumbling to himself, he fished his phone out of his pocket.
Fighting with his girlfriend made him restless. He didn't want to go home yet. He certainly wasn't going to go back up and apologize. Instead, he dialed Bella. "Hey Sugar. Are you busy?"
A few minutes later he was on the couch in his best friend's living room, watching her little daughter play on the floor in front of him. A smile played at his lips as he watched the little girl gnaw on a plastic block.
Bella sighed as she sat down next to him. "You know what I have to say about the situation. You and Maria have never made any sense to me."
"You never think I make sense with any of the girls I've been with," Jasper muttered tiredly.
"Why do think that is? You're laid back and relaxed, Maria is uptight and abrasive." She ticked off her fingers. "McKenna was way too flighty for you. Victoria is in prison now. Jessica-"
"Okay, I get it," Jasper said, waving a hand and fighting a scowl.
Bella studied him intently. "Sometimes I wonder if that's why you go out with those girls."
Jasper looked up, confused.
"If you don't fit, you'll have to end things eventually. You always do," she concluded.
A/N: Bear with me, my friends. Maria will be gone soon enough. Promise.