Your situation isn’t quite the same, though. Kirk consistently validated all of Carly’s affection. We might see him waiver in his interviews, but whenever Carly shared how she felt, even when she told him that she could see kids and marriage -in essence a future- with him, he only gave her positive reinforcement. Never once did he say, "I’m not as confident about that. I’d like to try dating in the real world, first."

I was thinking the same thing about Kirk just wanting to slow things down but still date, except that he said in his interview before the breakup that nothing Carly could say would change his mind, so I think he knew it would be a breakup talk. He was probably surprised she didn’t beg for him back. Their conversation on After Paradise was good. She admitted he is a good guy but didn’t cut him any slack on leading her on and not slowing things down way earlier.