Page 13 of Her Former Bear Mate

It all spiralled from there on and what Aditi once thought of as a secure relationship came crashing down.

She didn't even have anyone to blame but herself.

Alix gave her a pitiful look."I'm sorry.I don't know what to say."

"That's okay.I fucked this up.Me.Nobody else."Aditi pushed her hands up her forehead, resisting the urge to pull out all her hair.

They sat in silence for a little longer before Alix reached for the pitcher."More margaritas?"

“I shouldn’t.I’ve got work tomorrow.”

“And we have dinner with Maria and Lena too.”

“I forgot about that.Fuck.”With a heavy sigh, Aditi held out her empty glass."Fill it up to the brim."

SEVEN

Lena

Lena enteredthe restaurant with nerves making her stomach tense.She should’ve told Alix to shove it with her ladies’ nights that included her ex.What kind of person hung out casually with her ex?

A man greeted her at the entrance."Hello, do you have a reservation?"

"Yes, it's under Alix Jones," Lena replied, already peering into the restaurant.

The man nodded and checked his list."Yes, table for four.You're the first."

Lena wasn't surprised, she was often the first.She didn't mind, it meant she got the best seat at the table and she got to raise her eyebrows judgingly at everyone who arrived late.

While she waited, she ordered herself a glass of wine and checked her phone to see where everyone was.Everyone was ten minutes late and the group chat had no new messages.Lena was starting to fear she had the date or place wrong but then she spotted Aditi by the entrance of the restaurant.

Her chest tightened instantly.Just as she expected and feared, Aditi looked absolutely breath-taking and there were multiple people taking note of her arrival, not that Lena blamed them.Aditi wore red in a way that most people couldn't, like it was part of her.The rhythmic click of her heels served as a hypnotising beat as she approached, a confident no-nonsense walk that made people move out of the way.

Lena had no issue admitting that it was Aditi's beauty and vibe that had lured her in when they first met.It was the wonderfully kind and dedicated person underneath that had made her fall head over heels in love.

And now it was over and all Lena could do was clench her teeth and force a smile.It didn't matter that once she thought they would be together forever, now they were just friends.Or rather, they were friends with the same people.

Aditi arrived at the table but remained standing."Where is everyone?"

"How would I know?I'm not a mind reader," Lena grumbled.She had that exact same question and she was going to give her friends more than a judgmental look when they arrived.This was what she feared might happen.

"Did you message in the group?"

"I did, no answer."

Still standing, Aditi checked her phone."Hmm, you're right."

"Of course, why would I lie?"Lena bit back, harsher than intended.She didn't like this side of her, this sharp edge in her voice that cut her own tongue.She hated how it sounded, how she was coming across.Especially towards Aditi who always used to soften her hard edges.

Surprisingly unbothered, Aditi sat down as far away from Lena as a four-man table allowed.They sat in awkward silence, both on their phones typing urgent messages to their friends.

"Where are they?"Lena muttered, wondering at what point she should start calling emergency services to report her missing friends.This wasn't too out of character for Alix but Maria was always on time.

Aditi held up her phone."Oh, it's Alix!"

"Answer then."

"Hi!Where are you?"Aditi shouted into the phone which she helpfully put onto speaker.

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