Page 7 of A Gingerbread Romance

Jonathan’s gaze swept hers. “I am, actually. And yeah, we’ve had our ups and downs over the years, but we’re close now.”

“It must be nice to have siblings.” He could hear the wistfulness in her voice.

“It is. Their wives also have family I’ve gotten to know well, and my best buddy from college lives here, too. He’s like another brother to us.”

“Wow, that’s so nice.”

“You don’t have any brothers or sisters?”

She shook her head. “Nope, it’s just me and my grandmother. I always wished I came from a big family, though. It looks like fun—you know, in the movies and all.”

He chuckled, nodding. “I should probably appreciate them all a lot more than I do.” He meant that. Seeing something through someone else’s eyes could make you realize what you took for granted.

Let alone what you were missing.

Greta nodded thoughtfully, and Jonathan was surprised at the things she was making him ponder. And feel.

The pub was lively for a Tuesday evening, and the company was like hanging out with an old friend, albeit a strikingly attractive one. Jonathan found himself having a fantastic time.

Three hours later, he finished his second beer, then checked his watch. “Wow, it’s eight o’clock.” Three hours had flown by unnoticed. He chugged a glass of ice water. He’d never expected to stay this long. “Well, hey, I hate to cut this short, but I’d better get you home. I’ve got a big meeting in the morning.” He’d still be up for a few hours, but he needed some time to go over some paperwork.

She nodded and reached for her phone and then her coat. “Oh, wow. I do, too. It’s eight already? The bakery opens at six.”

“Wow.” He was impressed by the early hours she must have to keep. He motioned for the server to bring him the tab. A few minutes later, they stepped outside, where a fresh layer of snow was falling softly under a sky full of stars. Jonathan tugged into his wool overcoat, his breath fogging in the chilly night air. “Did you drive here? I can walk you to your car or call you a cab.”

“No, I walked,” she said. I live just a few blocks that way.” She motioned.

“Really?” he said, surprised. “I live just a few blocks the other way. Do you want to share a cab?” He’d left his car at the apartment building this morning before heading into town to file some paperwork with the city and then he’d spent all day in meetings.

Greta glanced around at the mostly deserted area outside the pub. “Actually, it’ll take just as long for a cab to get here on a Tuesday night as it will to reach my house on foot.”

“I could call an Uber.”

She nodded with a dry glance. “You’re not in Baltimore anymore, my friend. It’ll take just as long to get an Uber.”

He grinned. “Oh.”

“Do you want to walk? It’s a nice night, after all.”

“Okay, sure,” he said. “Let’s go.” He slipped an arm through hers when he saw the slick patches of ice glimmering on the sidewalk. The temperatures had definitely dropped since the sun had gone down, so any puddles would be slippery, and the knee-high boots she wore had heels. She took his arm appreciatively, and he felt his insides warming.

This wassonot what he’d expected tonight. For the past three years, any women he’d dated had only served to remind him why he didn’t want to be seriously involved with anyone ever again. Things either became too complicated, or too dull, or too much work. Or the chemistry wasn’t there to begin with. He rarely went out with the same girl more than twice.

On the flip side, if he liked them, they’d simply reminded him of the good things about Carla, and that made him just as miserable because then he wound up missing what he’d once had with her. Which always sent his blood to boiling because—well, it was Carla. Rationally, he didn’t care if he ever saw the woman again.

Jonathan raised his eyes to the Christmas lights overhead as they crossed at the first intersection, taking in the cheerful red, green, and blue. He glanced over at Greta, who seemed equally caught up in the magic of the evening.

He’d forgotten what it was like to have someone special to enjoy the holiday season with. Would it be so far-fetched to think he might want to spend it with Greta?

Sure, he’d be leaving after the new year, but Baltimore was only an hour away. He could see how things went with Greta—if she were game? Couldn’t he?

“New Haven Falls does a nice job at Christmastime, doesn’t it?” he said, pushing the thoughts aside.

He’d always been impressed with the town and was eager to see the changes his clients were planning. Because what they were doing would create an even more bustling and profitable Main Street, as long as the sale went well. A lot was riding on tomorrow morning’s meeting.

“It does,” said Greta, stepping carefully over a slippery patch of pavement without letting go of his arm. “Have you ever been to our holiday festival on Christmas Eve?”

“I have, actually.” He’d attended a few times with his brothers and aunt in the past few years. “It’s a lot of fun.”

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