Pete Davidson just can't quit Ariana Grande. According to friends, the funnyman is holding out hope that he and the pop star will still end up together.
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"I talked to Pete a few days ago and he was joking again," a friend of the "SNL" star told Page Six. "He's still in love with Ariana and sees a future with her."
Still, the source added, "He knows [the breakup] is for the best."
Pete and Ariana split last week after a lightning-quick engagement earlier this summer. Sources close to Ariana indicated that the death of her ex Mac Miller made her realize that she wasn't ready for a marriage. Also, Pete apparently failed to support her emotionally after the death.
"Ariana has been devastated and Pete couldn't handle it," a source close to Ariana told The Sun. "She realized she needs a grown-up who can support her and that's not him."
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Friends weren't exactly surprised that the romance never materialized into a marriage.
"I don't think they ever got the chance to really get to know one another," a separate insider told the New York Post.
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During an interview with Variety, Pete said he told Ariana he would marry her on their first date.
A fellow comedian added, "I never thought that relationship would last. I rooted for them, but . . . it's damn near impossible to have a serious relationship when you have everyone following your every move."
"He's a private dude who feels more at home being on stage doing comedy in small clubs and being around close friends and family," the comedian continued. "Being in a relationship with Ariana meant jumping into an entirely new world from his. He would always joke about how he was out of her league — and yeah, he really believed [it]."
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Still, even if they Pete and Ariana don't eventually get back together, the comedian will be able to move on.
"Pete's a fighter," said the pal. "As long as he has time and patience, he will be fine. We are talking about someone who has dealt with his father passing away on 9/11 and has battled mental illness. He has been through a lot worse."