Page 12 of Her Embarrassed Bear Mate

While she waited, Alix appeared out of nowhere with an empty glass in her hand. She looked taken aback and smiled hesitantly. "Hey."

"Hi." Veronica's gaze dipped automatically as it took in the whole of Alix. She stood out in the crowd and not just because she was a young woman in a sea of men. Alix was dressed differently, sporting nice dark jeans and a practical thick jumper that catered to the weather instead of current fashion. Her big earrings looked handmade and her handbag was worn but well loved.

There was no denying it, Alix was totally charming. She ordered a mojito and then they were both waiting, standing close, gazing at each other.

"Does your family always throw such big parties?" Alix asked eventually, hugging herself tightly.

Veronica shrugged, also holding her coat closed. "I suppose so."

"Must be nice to have money," Alix muttered under her breath.

The comment irked Veronica and while her first reflex was to refute it, she couldn't deny that her family was well off. The house had four bedrooms and a large garden that bordered a little stream. Not to mention, it was a nice area with expensive cars and neighbours who sent their kids to private school and retired early. It certainly was a big difference to the Alix's family who apparently lived in a caravan park.

It was a caravan park in a good area, but still. It did make her worry if Dianne was infatuated with her dad or her dad's money. It was something Veronica was determined to find out, although she was under no illusion that her dad would care.

She was glad when her drink arrived and she immediately took a big swig.

Alix watched her intently. "Hmm. I've seen that before. Is it that kind of night again?"

"You bet."

A faint smile lifted Alix's lips as she accepted her cocktail. "Same here. This is my second and I've only been here fifteen minutes."

Understanding filled Veronica and she cracked a smile of her own. "Looks like we're in the same boat again. And this time, we know we're drinking because of the same thing whereas that night, we were blissfully unaware how our shitty moods were related."

Alix gave her a curious look. "I thought we were pretending that never happened."

"Right." She took another big swig from her drink. "So should we start over?"

"Sure." Alix held out her hand. "Hi, I'm Alix. My mum is marrying your dad."

It was amazing how such a simple sentence could feel so suffocating. Veronica practically downed her gin and tonic, not even wincing from the bitter taste.

"Woah, easy there," Alix remarked.

"Says Miss Two Cocktails In Fifteen Minutes," Veronica bit back.

Alix just looked amused. "Alright, so I don't havemuch of a leg to stand on. Sue me. I've never been to a birthday party like this. What am I even supposed to do?"

A smile curled Veronica's lip up. "You're supposed to chat and mingle and drink."

"Sounds more like an office mixer than a family party," Alix muttered under her breath.

She wasn't wrong. The whole thing was stiff and weirdly formal, especially now Veronica didn't know anyone. She felt like a stranger in her own home and she didn't like it one bit. She couldn't wait to leave but since that wasn't an option at the moment, she got herself another drink and made polite and boring small talk with everyone. The more people she spoke to, the more she drank.

After a little while and a lot of drinks, her dad announced that he wanted to give a speech. Everyone gathered around while he stood in front of the hearth, the same place he always stood with Veronica's mum but this time with Dianne attached to him.

"Friends, family, I'm so grateful that you could all be here for my birthday party. Your presence here is the best gift any man could have. I hope you're all enjoying yourself. I certainly am. What more does a man need than his loved ones, a cold glass of whisky,and a good woman by his side?" He kissed Dianne demonstratively. "As you all know, I've been going through a rough time but I'm so glad to leave that all behind me. Those dark days are over and I'm excited to fill my life with more light. So thank you all for being here and celebrating with me. I hope you enjoy the party. It wouldn't be possible without the wonderful Dianne so let's raise a glass to her!"

Everyone cheered and clapped it but just left a bitter taste in Veronica's mouth. As irrational as it was, she couldn't shake the feeling that her dad was betraying her mum. Maybe not in practicality but certainly in spirit. They weren't even divorced yet. How was her dad already this deep into a new relationship and parading his new woman around like she was the main character in his life? Especially because he was in a total love bubble and totally oblivious to what anyone else thought of this all.

Veronica wanted to be happy for him, she really did, but he wasn't making it easy when he was happily declaring that he was renouncing the past. It made her feel like he was renouncinghertoo.

She ordered herself more drinks and wallowed quietly in a corner. By the time she circled back to Alix, it was a lot later, she was a lot drunker, and definitely no longer thinking straight.

EIGHT

Alix

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