Page 1 of Her Former Bear Mate

ONE

Lena

Flusteredand a little out of breath from shouting at an irresponsible driver, Lena bumped against the curb when she parked her car.She got out, cursing when a couple of empty bottles and an old receipt tumbled out with her.

It was amazing how quickly she'd turned back into a slob now she was single.

She grabbed the bottle of wine from the back seat, ignoring all the old energy bar wrappers and bottles.That was a problem for another day because it wasn't like anyone was going to see her car and she was already late.

With the click of her key, she abandoned her car and hurried along the row of old two-story houses.She had noticed it earlier but now she could fully appreciate the upscale area her friend had moved to.

A set of stone stairs brought her up to a red wooden door and she rang the doorbell, slightly nervous about the upcoming party.

Was Aditi going to be here?

She pushed the thoughts away, telling herself that it didn't matter if her ex was here or not.They wouldn't have to talk to each other and they could be civilised, couldn't they?At least, she hoped so.

The door swung open and Poppy appeared, already red and clearly slightly tipsy."Lena!!!You made it!"

"Of course, I said I would," Lena replied, although she knew it meant very little.She'd said she would show up to many things, only to cancel last minute.Sheepishly, she held out her bottle."Here, a little gift.Congrats on the new place."

"Thanks, babes."Poppy accepted the bottle and gave it a little shake."I love red wine."

Lena smiled, quietly relieved about that.She'd picked a random wine from the shelf on her way here, one with a middle of the road price tag.She wasn't very good at gifts.Aditi had always been the gift giver.

She followed Poppy into the new flat which was pretty packed, not that it surprised her.As a veritable extrovert, Poppy was always the life of the party and surrounded by a crowd.

"So, how are you settling in?"Lena asked, her voice already raised so she could be heard over the crowd and the music.

Poppy gave her a thumbs up."I love it!Everything works, fancy that."

"What about the fridge?"Lena asked.

Chuckling, Poppy gestured to a grand fridge, one with two doors and brushed metal."Brand new, baby."

"So no freezer parties on the horizon then," Lena commented, smiling at the memory of the impromptu party that had been thrown in the honour of Poppy's fridge-freezer giving up.It wouldn't have been an issue if the landlord had replaced it straight away, like a good landlord ought.Instead, everyone had come together for the most eclectic dinner party of fish sticks, ice cream, berry smoothies, and anything else that needed eating.

Poppy paused next to the counter where lots of plastic cups and half-empty bottles were taking up the entire space."What can I get you?Wine?Beer?Cocktail?I've got everything."

"I can see that," Lena commented."Anything non-alcoholic?I'm driving."

"Sure, I've got all the juices.Apple, orange, grape, cranberry, you name it."

"You don't do anything half-assed, do you?"Lena said with a smile."Apple, please."

"One glass of apple juice for the lady," Poppy quipped, cheerful as always.She poured it with the skill and flair of a bartender and presented it."So...How've you been?Is this the first time I've seen you since the break-up?"

Lena drank some apple juice to give herself a moment before she had to reply."Yeah, it is."

"I'm sorry.I really liked Aditi."

A lump appeared in her throat."Me too.Anyway, what's done is done.We no longer wanted the same thing.What about you?Are you still dating Assia, was it?"

"Oh no, that's long over.Done and dusted.No, I'm currently dating..."Poppy peered into the crowd, clearly searching for someone.She pointed out a heavier woman in leopard print who was shaking her shoulders to the song."Sophie.She's amazing.I think it's going to last."

"I hope it does," Lena said, even if she was fairly sure it wouldn't.As much as she loved her friend, Poppy was one of those serial monogamists.Not that there was anything wrong with it, it was just very foreign to Lena who hadn't dated anyone besides Aditi in the last four years and a half.Six if she counted the time before Aditi.

No, Lena wasn't exactly a social butterfly and she wasn't looking to be one either.If she was, she wouldn't have worn her old graphic shirt with her favourite design: an old retro computer with a rainbow screen.

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