Page 6 of Her Former Bear Mate

"Oh, so and so.My health is a bit shaky but that comes with age.I've picked up some more hours at the garden centre which has been very fun.Joan recently retired, that was quite a hoot.I've mentioned Joan before, haven't I?"

Lena nodded dutifully as she followed Rekha into the house, listening in a way that a daughter-in-law would, not just a random party guest.She wished she could tell Rheka she didn't give a shit about Joan and the garden centre but that wasn't the sort of thing she could say to someone who had almost become her mother-in-law.

Because even if things were over between her and Aditi, insulting Rheka would be like sleeping with Alix, if Lena was so inclined.It was a boundary that couldn't be uncrossed.It would be a death sentence for any possible reconciliation.

They reached the living room where Alix jogged towards her and took Princess.At least she had the decency to look guilty.

"Lena!You made it!"She already looked a little tipsy."It's so good to see you."

"Hmm-hmmm."Lena relaxed slightly when Rheka went off to the kitchen and held out her present."Happy birthday."

"Yay!"Alix tore into the wrapping and gasped."Oooh, that's so cute.I love that.I needed a new scarf."

Whether it was true or not, it was nice that she at least pretended it was a good gift.

"Interesting venue for your party," Lena remarked dryly."Were all the commercial venues booked?"

"No but they were bloody expensive.This is free and Rheka fired up the grill and she made homemade naans."

"Don't try to distract me with homemade naans.You tried to trick me."

Alix didn't look guilty anymore."That's your fault for cancelling ladies' night five times in a row.Five!"

"You can't blame me for not wanting to grab cocktails with my ex," Lena defended herself.

"I understand, which is why I had no choice but to trick you.I never see you anymore.But I am sorry, I know it was selfish of me."

With a sigh, Lena nodded."All right, all right.Next time, just tell me.I knew in advance and I showed up, didn't I?"

"You did."Alix's eyes sparkled."Does that mean you'll come to the next ladies' night too?"

Before Lena could answer, she caught a dash of dark hair in her peripheral.It wasn't Aditi but one of her cousins who didn't even look all that similar to her.Lena wondered when she was going to stop seeing Aditi every time she saw a flash of black hair.Maybe never.

Alix tapped her arm."Lena?"

"Sorry, got distracted.What were you saying?"

"Ladies' night.Well, evening.We're doing dinner because it's better for Maria.Say you'll come."

"Sure," Lena said, still distracted.They were in Rheka's house, Aditi was going to be here.Somewhere.It was going to be virtually impossible to avoid her and she wasn't sure if she was ready for it.

That being said, she was going to try her damndest.

No more than fifteen minutes passed before Lena saw Aditi carrying some trays from the kitchen into the garden.They locked eyes and her heart jumped up in her chest, quickening as if it was the first time they saw each other.

Stupid heart.

Lena finished her juice, wishing she had taken a taxi so she could've had some wine, and mustered up the courage she needed to address the elephant in the room.She sauntered over to Aditi, painfully aware that this was all wrong.They should've come to this party together, celebrated Alix's birthday together, listened to Rekha boss them around together.

But that wasn't how things were anymore.

"Hey."Aditi flicked her dark hair over her shoulder."I wasn't sure I'd see you today."

"I promised Alix," Lena said simply, doing everything she could not to notice just how beautiful Aditi looked.The light touches of mascara really emphasised her big brown eyes and she had such an adorable little crease in the bridge of her nose.

Maybe this would be easier if Aditi wasn't so bloody stunning.

"So...What did you get Alix as a present?"Aditi asked curiously.

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