In the bakery with uNPD-h and 2 years later

[GoodPesto]

When I was with toxic-to-me now ex-h we moved to a little town (and in together). I was lucky to find a bakery that is run by a lovely elderly man who once a week spends the night awake and working for the people of this little town to be able to enjoy organic and self-made goodies on saturday morning. A rare gem these day and age, at least where I live.
In the beginning ex-h and I went together. I am more of a cordial person that sometimes likes to chitchat, give compliments and is interested, so I talked to the owner of the bakery whenever we went there. I noticed after a while that this elderly man withdrew, seemed on edge when we were entering his shop. I wondered why and reflected on my behaviour. Man sometimes misunderstand my friendliness and think it's coming with second thoughts, so I thought it could be this and kept the chitchats shorter, cut my smile and questions and little.
I've been visiting this bakery for more than three years now and have not shown up with ex-h for about two.
Over time tension eased and it seemed that enough time had passed to see I am really just what I wanted to be: a friendly and appreciative customer. We even had a few more personal talks inbetween.
Today the baker gifted me one of his goodies for easter and suddenly offered me a second one "for the significant other" with a questionmark in his voice. It came as a surprise because I have been ordering in single-household size for a long time by now but apparently something was up so I agreed to opened the stage for it and told him that there is no significant other anymore and that it's been a while.
He replied "Ah ok - I am not gonna comment on that" but couldn't help himself and shared with me that he perceived ex-h to be extremely jealous when him and I were talking and ex-h was in the bakery as well. So that's what got him on edge? He even recalled details of the not-profound conversations, giving examples, so it seems this really got to him.

I am SO happy to not live alongside someone anymore who thinks I am his object to possess and is happiest when I am lonliest.
I do not know if it's more laughable that in the beginning of the relationship he said he would be okay with an open relationship or the fact that I even believed it to be true for a moment. He apparently couldn't even stand to see me having a verbal heart-to-heart moment with a grandfather figure who had worked hard for us to have a feast for breakfast.

That jealousy is part of the unpleasant dynamic at the bakery was so absurd it did not even strike me as a possible reason.

Sharing this because this turn took me by surprise today and because there is noone to talk about it.
Although I knew we were on good terms beforehand, I am happy the baker opened up about it.

[Rebel13]

I'm so glad you can freely have positive social interactions in your life now!

I do not know if it's more laughable that in the beginning of the relationship he said he would be okay with an open relationship or the fact that I even believed it to be true for a moment. He apparently couldn't even stand to see me having a verbal heart-to-heart moment with a grandfather figure who had worked hard for us to have a feast for breakfast.

Well obviously he meant "open" for HIM. You were supposed to sit at home alone and wait for him to grace you with his presence.

Enjoy the bakery. It sounds lovely.