Page 28 of Her Embarrassed Bear Mate

The whole thing looked like something straightout of a movie. As wonderful as it was, it just didn't feel like it fit. Alix would've much rather had a party at the caravan site with their friends and neighbours. Maybe they could've made a big bonfire and served cheap hot cocoa with glugs of rum for those who wanted a little extra to warm them up. Something small and cosy and intimate that was real.

She didn't want to think about how much money had been thrown at this when not that long ago, she had worked extra hours to afford a new pair of shoes for Trixie's dance class. Maybe Alix wouldn't be so salty if some of this wealth was trickling down to her little sister but it didn't seem like Dirk was interested in spoiling his soon-to-be-step daughter though and instead, spent all his money on himself and their mum. In his defence, it was his money. He could do with it whatever he wanted.

She just wished their mum was prioritising taking care of Trixie instead of living out her own teenage dreams of being a princess.

Someone called her name and she turned in the direction of the voice, waving when she spotted her neighbour Clarissa. The painter had cleaned up nicely and was wearing a pretty dress while her fated mate, Dee, came in a nice black suit.

"You made it," Alix said, happy to gather some familiar people in a sea of unknowns.

Clarissa smiled. "Of course. I'm surprised though, I didn't expect it to be so busy. I didn't realise your mum knew so many people."

"Oh, most of these are Dirk's friends and family, I think," Alix said.

"Speaking of Dirk's family, where's Veronica?" Aditi asked in a curious tone that spelled trouble. Knowing her, she had a checklist at the ready to make sure Veronica wasn't a bad influence.

Instantly, Clarissa's face lit up like she was a kid on Christmas morning. "Veronica? Who is that? Is it your crusssssh?"

Alix's cheeks flamed up as she remembered teasing Clarissa not that long ago, before she and Dee had gotten together. "Oh, don't do that me."

"Payback is a bitch," Clarissa sang, clearly glad to be on the teasing end instead of the recipient of it. "So, spill. Who is this Veronica and why are you getting all flustered?"

"I'm not flustered," Alix denied, although she most definitely was. She pointed at the long table that had been covered with flutes filled with champagne or some other bubblydrink. "Look, free drinks."

That distracted her friends from the one topic that Alix did not want to talk about tonight, not even in a joking capacity. She picked up a glass and checked her phone where her new chat with Veronica was packed with witty messages from the past weeks.

Alix typed out. As much as she wanted to avoid anyone finding out about them, she wanted to see Veronica more. And it wouldn't be weird for them to be seen together. If anything, people probably thought it was nice that they were getting along. If only they knew...

Her phone vibrated.

Alix's head snapped up from her phone and she looked around as subtly as she could without it being clear she was searching for something or someone. If her friends caught on to that, there would be no end to the teasing. She spotted Veronica and her brothers picking up drinks at the very end of the table.

Just from a quick glance, she could tell that Veronica looked absolutely stunning. Her elegant peach-coloured dress was decorated with light sparkles that matched her earrings and necklace without it being over the top. It was classy but then that was expected of Veronica. She was classy in a way that made Alix feel insecure to her core, withher cheap dress and cheap make-up. It was probably paranoia, but she couldn't help but feel that everyone else would be able to tell that she or her family didn't belong in this expensive venue that cost more than a year's worth of lot rent for a single event.

Maybe that was why she was so upset with her mum. Not just for marrying a man so quickly and uprooting their whole life, but for picking someone that made Alix feel inferior on every level. And she knew it wasn't about his level of wealth but rather the way he used it only for things that looked good, not causes that actually mattered.

If she were ever rich, she wouldn't spend it like this.

Her thoughts were interrupted by Veronica's arrival who looked even better up close. A few ringlets were deliberately kept out of her elaborate bun and they framed her face, drawing attention to her eyes and the beauty mark above her lip.

Alix couldn't stop staring.

"Hello. It’s been a while." Veronica very formally held out her hand but there was a mischievous smirk playing around her lips.

“Yes, since Whitby, wasn’t it?” Alix said, happy to play along despite the fresh love bites hidden under the scarf around her neck.

“Of course, when else would I have seen you?” She grinned when she leaned in, her voice reduced to a whisper. “By the way, you left your bra at my place last night.”

Alix's eyes widened and heat rushed up to her cheeks. “Shhh!”

“Nobody is paying us any attention,” Veronica said, grinning even wider. She was clearly enjoying herself. “Are you okay? You look a bit flustered.”

Aditi chose that moment to join the conversation with a smile that suggested that she'd been eavesdropping. "Alix has been flustered the entire time. Hi, I'm Aditi. Friend, sister-in-spirit, confidant. You must be Veronica."

"And why must I be Veronica?" Veronica countered as they shook hands.

"Because Alix is blushing like crazy," Aditi pointed out.

To make matters worse, Clarissa and Dee pushed into the circle like sharks out for blood. In that moment, Alix regretted every time she'd teased her friends about their crushes and romantic encounters because it was all coming back to haunt her. Both of them shook Veronica's hand with just a little bit too much enthusiasm.

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