I belong to a club. Male and female, very wide range of ages. For most of my time as a member I was married and have a wode group of friends of both sexes, now I'm single.
Historically the club has been a fairly successful "dating agency" and we've had a few weddings.
Since I've been single, there's been some "interest". I went in a few dates with someone I previously thought of as just a friend, we even got a bit physical. I don't really know what happened to change his mind but he decided, before we actually slept together, which was nice of him 🤣 that he prefers to keep things as friends. Which whatever the reason was, was a good decision. There was never any real spark and we are pretty good together as friends.
There's another man there who makes no secret that his marriage is struggling. He's a nice man, I think, and he genuinely wants to make things better. That's the only context in which I've heard him talk of his marriage - about what he is/can do to make it better. If that sounds weird, the activity we does seem to make confiding easy (no eye contact) and people often share things they might not in other circumstances. It can be a proper therapy session, which is why many of our members do it.
At the same time he and I have taken hold of a few issues that needed sorting out within the club. We're doing a good job but in view of his situation I am being very careful to stay at arms length emotionally, very careful with banter and keeping conversation to the business we're discussing etc. However, praise where praise is due and I have occasionally commented to others about what a good job he's doing and how we're enjoying working together on getting things done.
So, to the point. The friend I'm no longer dating but still good friends with keeps "joking" about how I'm ready and waiting for when other member's marriage fails. Absolutely nothing could be further than the truth, I genuinely hope he gets what he wants, which is to fix his marriage. That said, I am slightly aware that we could make a good couple if circumstances were different, but they're not so I'm absolutely not going there. From a purely selfish POV the last thing I need is to get involved in a man who's still emotionally married, even if they did split.
I know friend needs to butt out, but also, I do respect the fact that he can be quite perceptive...