Page 48 of A Gingerbread Romance

But yes, that had to be it. He was just occupied today, even though they’d originally made plans for the holiday. But he wasn’t punishing her. He just needed time to cool off.

She wiped her eyes, sniffled, and focused her attention on the movie, then took a sip of her hot apple cider, the cinnamon she’d sprinkled on top somehow comforting her.

Tomorrow would be better. He’d call her back eventually, and she’d fix everything, and they’d get back to starting a relationship.

FIFTEEN

Jonathan turned the key in his apartment, then stepped inside, switching on the lights. He set down his suitcases, removed his jacket, and scanned the rooms. His kitchen, his living room sofa, and his coffee table. His computer desk and his flat screen TV.Hisworld.

It was good to be home again. Good to be back in Baltimore, but strange at the same time.

Like something was missing. Or someone. Lots of people, actually. Like all the people he cared about.

Even Linda was still in New Haven Falls, celebrating Christmas Day with the family. He’d made up an excuse when she’d suggested he come to dinner at Tim’s, saying he had work to do tomorrow, bright and early. That the agency had emailed and asked him to come back early.

Even though it would be Saturday.

Not out of the question for a real estate agent, though. Even a commercial one. She probably hadn’t fallen for it, but she’d only asked a few questions, which he’d dodged skillfully to avoid having to talk about Greta.

Linda—as well as the others—didn’t need to know he was a first-rate screw-up when it came to women. They didn’t need to feel sorry for him or feel the need to cheer him up on Christmas Day, of all days. They were busy making merry and spreading good cheer. He wasn’t about to ruin all of that.

No, they didn’t need to know why he’d come home.

He’d packed his things at the apartment in New Haven and left town as soon as he’d left Greta’s street. He’d have to return to New Haven Falls this week for the final walk-through of the buildings with Brett and Elaine, but he had the rental until the end of the month. Maybe he'd still spend New Year’s with his brothers, as planned, anyway, if nothing else came up?

He unpacked and started a load of laundry. He’d stopped for a burger on the way home because nothing else had been open. He had to keep reminding himself it was Christmas Day. But at least he wasn’t hungry, because his refrigerator was all but empty.

He grabbed a beer and sat down in front of his television, then switched on the football game and sank into the couch.

Yes, he’d seen the text messages Greta had sent him, and yes, he’d listened to her voicemails. And yes, it was killing him inside to ignore her like this, but it was the best thing he could do for her.

Because if he talked to her now, he’d break down and get back together with her. She was just too completely irresistible. And then he’d put her—and himself—through this all over again the next time something like what he’d witnessed on her porch today happened. And she didn’t need that in her life. She didn’t need someone who couldn’t trust her. No, what Greta needed was a clean break.

Heck, she’d probably be better off with someone like Berg, anyway. The guy seemed stable, and any woman would see him as a good catch.

Jonathan sighed heavily for nearly the fiftieth time today, staring at the screen. Now, all he needed was for this holiday to be over with. Getting over Greta would be much easier when regular, everyday life resumed and he could bury himself in his work again.

* * *

The man could gofrom cold to hot and back again faster than the town ice skating rink on a sunny day. Her pulse picked up, her face reddening, as she boxed up and handed a dozen scones over the counter to another customer. He was playing the same games again, in which he ghosted her without a word, but why? She still didn’t get it. What she’d said to him on Friday night hadn’t been that awful, had it?

Regardless, it must’ve been enough to set him off because Saturday morning had arrived, and she still hadn’t heard from him.

Christmas was over, and the coffee shop had been busy this fine Sunday morning. She smiled, thinking about how thankful she was that they’d set up the new aspect of the business so quickly. People loved being out and about after Christmas, with all the friends and family everyone would have in town for the holidays, and her new coffee and dessert stop had apparently become a new hot spot.

She bagged a loaf of sourdough bread as one of the girls fired up another espresso. Jean would be happy when she returned next week, and Greta could rest easily about the business, finally.

But would Jonathan walk through the front door of the bakery and resolve the ache in her heart? She kept glancing at the door every few minutes, wondering.

This should only be a minor setback for them, and if he didn’t come by, she’d stop in at his apartment after the bakery closed today and set things straight.

* * *

“Hey, man, where ya’been?” It was Wade. “I tried calling you a couple of times yesterday, but you didn’t pick up. We were worried about you.” That was exactly what Jonathan had hoped wouldn’t happen, although he’d only been expected to stop in for a little while yesterday, since he’d originally made plans with Greta.

He was making a visit to the office Sunday morning not because he had to go in, of course, on the day after Christmas, but so that he could see what was next on his schedule. All he was aware of so far was the final walk-through in New Haven Falls this week, not that he couldn’t have looked up the information remotely.

“I’m fine. I just wanted to come home for the weekend. Take care of a few things,” he lied, starting down the sidewalk toward his agency’s office, which was nestled in one of Baltimore’s more pleasant metro areas. He’d been able to find street parking this morning, since it was the day after Christmas and a weekend, but the spot had been four blocks away.

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