Page 19 of Her Embarrassed Bear Mate

The relief and gratitude on Alix's face was worth a picture. "Thank you."

"No problem. I'm used to dealing with kids. The trick is misdirection and distraction."

"I'll remember that. I'm always bargaining orbegging." Alix cracked a smile as they set in motion. "So do we need to buy some ice cream on the way back?"

Veronica chuckled. "No, there should be loads in the freezer."

"You're clever."

They returned, walking much faster now that Princess had done all her pees and poops. Once they reached the front garden and Trixie was safely inside the house, Alix placed her hand on Veronica's arm.

"Thank you again. And for what it's worth, my mother doesn't keep anything about her dating life a secret. I wish she did, but I know far too many details. She won't have been dating your dad for longer than a month. I don't know what your dad was up to before that, but if he was cheating, it wasn't with my mum."

For some reason, Veronica believed Alix and it reassured her slightly. It didn't take away the absurdity of the whole situation but at least she didn't have to worry about this being an affair. It was a good thing because her opinion of her dad was currently at an all-time low and she really didn't want it to sink any further.

TWELVE

Alix

Alix triedher best to tune out the obnoxious show on the gigantic screen that Trixie was watching with rapt attention. At least one of them was enjoying their holiday in this unfamiliar house with a bunch of strangers. Alix thought she would get used to being here once a few days had passed but she still felt as uncomfortable as the moment she stepped inside. The only saving grace of the whole situation was that there was no additional awkwardness between her and Veronica.

If anything, from the handful of interactions they had, Alix thought they got on well. And they were inthe same boat so it was good to have someone who understood how she was feeling.

She focused on her phone and the group chat with her friends. It hadn't been used that much since Lena and Aditi broke up but desperate times called for desperate measures.

Her phone vibrated in her hands with a message from Lena.

she typed back.

Maria's message popped up in the chat.

Lena asked, her message finished with a cheeky emoji.

A janky tune came from the TV and Alix thought about pulling a pillow over her head as she typed out her reply.

Maria said. The message disappeared almost as soon as it came and was replaced by a new one.

Alix shook her head.

A private message from Maria popped up on her screen.

she typed back. She hoped neither of them saw it but considering they were all actively chatting just now, what were the chances?

Chattering came from the garden, pulling Alix's attention away from her phone. Her mum and Dirk came in attached to the hip, giggling like teenagers.

"Alix, why are you always inside?" her mum chided. "We're having a rare sunny day. You should get some vitamin D instead of sitting in front of a screen all day."

Alix didn't point out thateveryoneelse was also inside, they just happened to have rooms they could stay in. In theory, she could stay upstairs too but she didn't wantto be rude.

Her mum made a show of kissing Dirk, temporarily lost in her own world.

It took everything Alix had to not turn up the TV's volume.

"Alix, why don't you run out to the store and get some things for tomorrow?" her mum suggested after she was done. "Dirk wants to make a big roast dinner for everyone."

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