Page 33 of A Gingerbread Romance

Would he, though? Greta wondered. Wouldn’t he have invited her himself if he’d love it?

“They all want to meet you.” Chloe went on, grinning. “You know brothers. All up in each other’s business.” She rolled her eyes playfully. “Luke wanted him to bring you out to our cabin for dinner on Sunday, but he said you were working.”

He did? He hadn’t asked her to go. Then again, shehadbeen working.

“But we’re not dating,” said Greta, with a quick wrinkle of her nose and a shake of her head. “We’re just friends.”

“I know, and that’s okay.” Chloe waved it off as if she’d heard it all before. “You’ll like Jocelyn and Trista. We’ll have fun.” She tugged into her coat and tucked her thick locks of long blond hair under a winter hat before hurrying out. “Seven o’clock at The Pub on Main.”

Greta couldn’t bring herself to nod. She chewed her lip instead.

Chloe turned back with an amiable wave as she opened the front door and a cold blast of air rushed in. “I’m not takingnofor an answer!”

* * *

Despite his best efforts,Jonathan had not managed to convince his brothers that he was no longer interested in dating Greta. All day at Luke’s cabin on Sunday, Luke had pestered him, citing Wade’s comments earlier in the week when Jonathan had mentioned his growing interest in Greta.

But he hadn’t mentioned running into Carla and how that had played into his decision to back off. Let them assume whatever they wanted to. It would become obvious, eventually.

He made his way across town toward the pub, appreciating the cool evening air.

The stiff drink he’d poured himself on Saturday night in front of the television, alone, had helped him clear his thoughts—or at least, it had helped him forget about them. On Sunday morning, he’d woken, relieved and glad of his decision.

Well, maybe notglad, per se, but confident it was the right one. Even if it hurt.

Because, sure, in the short term, seeing Greta might work. But what about in the long run, when he returned to Baltimore in a few weeks?

She had the business and her grandmother to keep her from visiting him very often, and he had long hours at work. He’d probably lose her to some local dude who could give her all the attention a woman like Greta deserved. It wouldn’t work.

He cross when the light turned green with a glance at the light traffic on Main Street.

Now, all he had to do was spend increasingly less time with her—without ditching her entirely, of course, because it wasn’t as though he didn’t still care about her. He simply needed to make it clear that, just as she’d asked, he’d be her friend and nothing more. No strings attached. No more wishing for something that couldn’t be.

He'd already managed not to call her back and not to text her more than absolutely necessary, in order to manage expectations, but he couldn’t lie. It had been difficult.

He’d ached to pick up the phone and just chat for hours with her on Sunday night when he’d returned to the apartment from Luke’s house, or better yet, invite her over, but he’d stopped himself. It would’ve just confused her if he had.

And him.

Reaching the pub, he opened the door and headed inside. Christmas lights glowed and patrons chattered over drinks and food while popular tracks played in the background. Pleasant memories of Greta smiling and talking with him flashed across his mind, and he glanced at the table they’d occupied, but it was taken now by another couple, of course. A couple staring into each other’s eyes as if no one else in the room existed.

He frowned, then quickly dismissed the thoughts.

A few seconds later, he spotted Wade, Jocelyn, Luke, and Chloe standing near the bar, most of them holding beers or glasses of wine, although a few were sipping sparkling waters.

“Hey, guys.” He greeted his brothers with a pat to the back and his sisters-in-law with a gentle one-armed hug.

“Hey, man, good to see you,” said Tim with a firm shake when he and Trista arrived a few minutes later. His college roommate had been his best friend since they’d met. His wife was also one of Jonathan’s favorite people in the world.

He hung his coat on a wall rack alongside Wade’s, then ordered his favorite draft beer at the bar. When his IPA was pushed across the counter, Jonathan took a sip and relished the cool liquid on his throat, despite the chilly temperatures outside.

He could justpretendthis wasn’t where he’d spent an amazing evening with Greta just two weeks ago. Pretend she hadn’t stirred things inside of him that he hadn’t felt in years.

“There you are!” he heard Chloe exclaim, and he turned toward the entrance to see who she was talking to. Jonathan almost choked on his beer as none other than Greta sauntered in.

“I’m so glad you made it!” Chloe hugged her as if they were old friends.

“Hi, Chloe.” His brow rose as Greta’s lovely lips pulled into a smile.

---