Page 32 of A Gingerbread Romance

Judy shook her head, and Greta attempted to hide her disappointment, which was silly anyway, because she would’ve been more disappointed had he delivered it and not stayed to say hello. “Sorry, sweetheart,” Judy said kindly, with a knowing look.

She skimmed it, then looked up at Judy. “Well, it looks like the sale of the building is final, and we’ll be looking at a twelve percent increase starting in March.”

She did some quick numbers in her head.

Twelve percent wasn’t terrible, and the rent hadn’t gone up in two years, so the number didn’t seem so bad, especially with the confidence she’d gained working with Berg.

Judy raised a brow. “Can we afford that?” Judy and Jean were good friends, and while Judy was about ten years younger, they’d worked together for most of their lives. Greta knew Judy felt just as invested in the bakery’s success as Jean and Greta did themselves.

“Yes, I think we’ll be all right, as long as we can keep up even half the momentum that the Christmas season’s been bringing.”

Judy nodded, grinning. “Well, we’ll do our best, then, boss.” She turned and headed back to the kitchen.

But this also meant that if the sale and all its details were final, then her professional relationship with Jonathan would be over. And that was good news.

But she frowned again because—where was he lately? It had been two full days now since they’d actually spoken. Was it just her imagination, or was he losing interest in her?

* * *

Tuesday arrived in short order,and still, Greta hadn’t heard from Jonathan. She texted him again from the bakery’s office, trying her best not to make anything of it.

Hey, how’s it going?

Fine,came his answer.You?

Fine.

He didn’t ask any other questions, even after the three minutes she spent tapping at the keyboard on her laptop, trying to distract herself with work.

This was starting to feel weird. Why had he all but ghosted her? Had she done something to upset him? He didn’t sound angry, and he hadn’t been rude. He just seemed…uninterested.

“Greta.” One of the staff tapped at her door, which she’d left open, as usual. “Someone’s here to see you.”

Her heart lifted. Had Jonathan stopped in to surprise her? Okay, now she was being ridiculous.

“It’s a woman named Chloe Olsen.”

“Oh. Right. Thanks.” Greta quickly dismissed her disappointment. She was eager to meet with Jonathan’s sister-in-law, regardless. “I’ll be right there.”

An hour and a half later, to Greta’s surprise, she felt as if she’d made a new friend. Chloe was sweet, helpful, and quite knowledgeable when it came to food and coffee service.

She’d explained how often to reorder supplies based on how much they sold after a week, and how to gauge for growth, because it was Chloe’s opinion that the coffee shop inside the bakery would quickly increase in popularity.

There was only one other shop like it on this end of town, but that one didn’t have a full-service bakery to boot. And people liked to enjoy a good coffee alongside a freshly baked treat in a lovely setting. And Greta had all of those things, as Chloe put it.

“You know, Jonathan said we’d get along,” Chloe said generously, “and he was right. I would love to get your number and hang out sometime, if you’d like?”

Greta was flattered. “I’d love that. Thanks.” They quickly exchanged numbers. It would be great to have a new friend in town, even if she did live all the way out by the ski resort.

“Hey, actually, my husband Luke and I are going out for a drink tonight with some friends and family. Why don’t you join us?”

Greta felt her nerves rattling. Not only was it with a group of people she barely knew, but it was at the same place she and Jonathan had gone on their one and only date. Plus, she’d saidfamily. “No, I couldn’t impose.”

“You wouldn’t be imposing at all. I’m inviting you. Plus, it’ll be very casual.”

Greta forced a smile. “Thanks. That’s so nice of you.” She cleared her throat and tried to sound nonchalant. “But, will, uh, Jonathan be there?”

Chloe nodded. “I’m sure he will, but he’d love it if you came.”

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