Page 9 of Her Embarrassed Bear Mate

“Speaking of getting along, Dirk invited us to his birthday party in two weeks.”

“Party!” Trixie cheered.

Veronica wasn’t looking forward to having this new woman inserted into their lives but she understood that her dad wanted his new girlfriend at his party. For now, she would put up with it.

After dinner, she found a briefmoment of privacy to chat with Alix while her brothers went outside to shoot some hoops.

“I still can't believe you’re Dianne's daughter,” Veronica said as they stood by the window.

Alix grimaced. “Yeah, I'm not thrilled about it either.”

“Do we need to talk about last night?”

“What’s there to talk about? We can’t tell anyone. We should just pretend it never happened.”

That stung but Veronica didn’t let it show on her face. “It’s not like we knew our parents were dating.”

“Still, it’ll be awkward if they find out we almost slept together. The whole situation is weird enough as it is.”

It didn't sit well with Veronica but what was there to say? If Alix didn't want to acknowledge the connection they made, then that was that. And it would be awkward if this came to light.

Veronica just shrugged as she hugged herself a little tighter. “Fine. We’ll pretend it never happened.”

SIX

Alix

After a few eveningsof listening to her mum gush about Dirk, Alix was beyond relieved when she could escape on Friday night for her weekly ladies night.

She sipped her very tasty margarita on Aditi’s sofa and enjoyed the peace and quiet.

“I had the worst week at work,” Aditi announced as she settled on the other side of the sofa, tired rings around her dark brown eyes. “My supervisor is killing me with my shifts. It’s like she doesn't believe Ineed sleep?”

“Is that the same supervisor who steals your lunch?”

“No, that's a different one.” Aditi groaned loudly. “I hate being so low down the shit pyramid.”

Alix gave her friend a consoling little pat on the shoulder. “There, there, it’ll get better soon.”

Maria chuckled, sensibly not drinking margaritas. “At least you can still go to work. I’m just a fat whale that lies around the house all the time.”

“Because you’re growing a human being,” Alix pointed out.

“Or a shifter,” Maria muttered. “It’s a good thing they don’t come out like that. I don’t want a bear shooting out of my vagina.”

Aditi laughed. “Gross. Let’s talk about something that won’t make my stomach turn. Alix, how are you with your mum’s new engagement?”

“Oh don't get me started. She dragged me and Trixie all the way over to have some misguided family dinner with her new boyfriend and his children because, in his words, we’re all going to be a family!”

Aditi made a retching sound, as any good friend should. “Deluded. What were his children like?”

The image of Veronica imposed itself on Alix's brain and she felt her ears heat up. “They were… okay. He has three sons, one daughter. Can't say I paid much attention to the sons.”

“Oh-oh… hot step-sister alert?” Aditi teased, not knowing just how close she was to hitting the nail on the head.

Alix buried her face in her hands. “Remember a few days ago when I messaged you for an alibi?”

“Yes. What was all that about?”

---