Page 18 of Her Former Bear Mate

"It's not that unusual.And nobody calls the newspapers nowadays."

"No, but 'call the gossip blogs' doesn't have the same ring," Aditi replied, finally smiling."But is this your way of calling a truce?"

"I suppose it is."Lena took a deep breath but she wasn't as annoyed as expected."There's no reason to always be at each other's throat, right?"

"I couldn't agree more."Aditi nodded.She held out her hand, making her bracelets clatter together."Friends?"

"Friends might be a bit too much," Lena said, hesitating to slip her hand in Aditi's.She ignored the little thrill shooting up her arm and the warmth of Aditi's hand, managing to keep her composure."But sure, friends."

Aditi's smile radiated pure joy and was so bright, it was blinding.Lena's heart skipped a traitorous beat, not that it surprised her.Aditi was as irresistible now as when they first met.That didn't mean Lena was going to jump her, there was too much baggage for that.

Still, she could appreciate that beaming smile, the one that felt like the rising morning sun after a long cold night.

"So, what did you buy Maria?"Aditi asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"I got the car seat.I know it's boring but it's all I could get last minute," Lena replied, glancing at the table with presents that was even fuller now."I saw you went overboard with the gifts.Why am I not surprised?"

"I would've bought Maria's entire registry if my budget allowed it," Aditi said, beaming with affection.Knowing her, she meant it too.

"You could always ask your supervisor for a raise," Lena joked.

Aditi chuckled in disbelief."I didn't realise you wished me death."

"I don't think Katherine would kill you.Who would pick up all the odd shifts then?"Lena said, realising she'd slipped so easily into casual banter, she hadn't even noticed until it was too late.There was just something about Aditi that relaxed her, it always had.

Frustratingly, that still seemed to be true.

"Very true.She needs me alive," Aditi conceded, her nose crinkling when she smiled."So how've you been?How's work?"

Lena grimaced thinking about her colleagues."Ehh.I'd rather not talk about work."

Luckily for her, Maria's sister, the one who was organising the baby shower, called everyone's attention from the front of the room.She introduced herself quickly and announced the start of the baby shower games."We've assigned everyone a partner with whom you will go through the baby bear trials!The pair who accumulates the most points will win a prize."

Everyone cheered except for Lena who suddenly got a bad feeling.Surely she wasn't paired up with Aditi...?Coming to a truce was one thing but having to spend the entire afternoon together, playing silly games, that was a whole other matter.

Maria's sister handed her a little card and it confirmed what Lena feared.

Yup, her partner was nobody else than Aditi.

TEN

Aditi

Aditi wasn'tsure whether to be excited or frustrated that Lena was her partner for the baby shower games.She was trying so hard to maintain distance and just when she seemed to be in control of herself, Lena swung down her fragile walls with that sledgehammer of a smile of hers.

At least Maria looked horrified."I'm so sorry, I forgot to tell my sister about the breakup.I blame baby-brain.I'll ask her to get someone to swap with you."

Aditi was about to agree when Lena surprised her.

"No, it's fine.We don't want to cause trouble.Besides, it's just a few games, Aditi and I can handle that much."Lena glanced at her, conspiringly."Can't we?"

"Sure," Aditi agreed with a dry mouth.This was so unexpected, it was making her question her sanity.Was this truly just platonic and for the sake of their friends?Did Alix tell Lena off?Or did Lena still have feelings for her?

What in the goddess' name was going on here?

Maria eyed them up cautiously but nodded."If you're sure, then great.I'm glad to see you two getting along."

"Of course," Aditi said, pleased that at least they weren't causing stress for their pregnant friend.She didn't understand why Lena had just agreed to be her partner for the games when not that long ago, it seemed like Lena couldn't even stand being in the same room as her.

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