Page 15 of Her Embarrassed Bear Mate (Crescent Lake Bears #5)

FIFTEEN

Veronica

Veronica pushed her suitcase into the boot of the car, mostly relieved that the cursed holiday was pretty much over. Even if she had enjoyed spending time with her brothers and getting to know Alix, she was looking forward to going home. The whole week had given her a lot to think about, not just in terms of her dad and Dianne, but also what to do about the situation with Alix.

The most sensible thing would be to stay away from each other, but Veronica didn't really want that. She liked Alix, maybe a little too much. A part of her was tempted to just go for it. It wasn't like anything really stood in their way. Even if their parents got married, they wouldn't actually become step-sisters.

Still, it might be a bit weird and she didn't know what Alix thought of the matter. Maybe their night together was more a tick off the bucket list.

She returned back inside where everyone else was doing the last checks to make sure nothing was being forgotten. Her dad and Dianne were nowhere to be seen and she didn't want to know what they were up to.

"Everyone all set to leave?" she asked.

Her brothers gave her a vague thumbs-up, all engrossed in whatever they were doing on their phones.

Trixie popped her head up from behind the sofa. "I'm ready!"

As callous as it sounded, Veronica didn't care about any of their reactions. She just looked at Alix who gave her a brief but unmistakable smile. That was the extent of their interaction, not that Veronica blamed her. This was not the time or place. That being said, she really hoped they could talk before they parted ways about how to progress from here.

Her dad and Dianne returned from the kitchen, looking all loved-up.

"Ah, everyone is still here. Wonderful. Dirk and I had a little chat and we've decided on a weekend for our engagement party. We hope you'll all keep the date free because it will be a celebration of our families joining as a whole, not just the two of us getting married."

Veronica wanted to hurl. She was just about okay accepting that her dad was getting married but all this talk and pretence about creating a new family was really leaving a bad taste. They were never going to be a blended family, it was far too late for that.

Jonas stood up from the couch. "But you've just thrown a party."

"That was a birthday party, son. This is different, it's an engagement. We'll be renting a venue and renting out a hotel so everyone can attend without worrying about cost. It's going to be wonderful," their dad announced boldly, clearly determined to spare no expense. It was like he thought his riches were an infinite river of wealth that would never dry up.

It was delusional, but Veronica didn't think pointing that out would make a difference. Nobody was capable of stopping their dad's excessive spending, not even their mum. It was obvious now that was one of the reasons they were divorcing.

The whole thing was frustrating and Veronica wanted nothing more than to get out of here. If it wasn't for her unfinished business with Alix, she would be high-tailing out of there. Luckily, Princess chose that moment to bark at her reflection in the window and scratch the glass desperately.

"Do you need to walk her before you get in the car?" Veronica asked Alix, hoping to steal one more moment of privacy. They needed to talk so they were on the same page, even if that page was the last one in the book.

Alix nodded, seemingly catching on. "Yeah, I should give her a quick stretch."

"I'll come too, it'll be good to move a bit before I have to sit still for hours," Veronica declared. Not that anyone was paying them any attention. Her dad and Dianne were already back in their love bubble and lest she suddenly dropped dead, she didn't think her brothers would look up from their screens. They were just as fed up with the holiday and it showed.

The only person she actually had a rapport with was Alix. Veronica didn't know if it was amazing that they had bonded so quickly or that it was sad that a stranger understood her better than her own family.

She followed Alix out into the hallway and Princess chased after them as soon as she heard the jangle of her lead. The Pomeranian jumped at the front door, barking louder than what should be possible for such a small dog. She was so excited, Alix had to wrangle the harness on her. It was an adorable sight that surprisingly filled Veronica with a gentle warmth. Maybe this holiday had been weird and unusual but it had its upsides too.

Alix gave her another secret smile as they walked out of the door but didn't initiate any conversation or contact until the house was a good distance behind them.

"I thought we'd never get a moment of privacy," Alix remarked as she rounded the corner.

Veronica chuckled. "Yeah, it's a full house. Gosh. I'm looking forward to some peace and quiet."

"Lucky you. I have no way to escape the circus, I live with the circus."

"I would offer for you to come stay with me but I think that might be jumping the gun a bit," Veronica said, her gaze drawn to Alix's free hand. It was swinging back and forth between them and she was tempted to take hold of it but didn't, simply because she wasn't sure if it would be a welcome gesture.

"Yeah, I think that's moving a bit fast," Alix agreed, pausing to give Princess a moment to pee. "Does that mean you want to... umm... I don't know how to put it."

"Date?" Veronica suggested, amused by how flustered the other woman was getting. "I think so, yes? I mean, I like you but I'm aware our circumstances are a bit weird."

"Weird is putting it lightly. Our parents are getting married."

"True, but it's not like they've known each other all that long. And we met separately," Veronica pointed out, somewhat tentatively. The last thing she wanted was to argue or logic Alix into something. If they were going to become an item, she wanted an enthusiastic yes not a flimsy half-baked answer.

Alix's slipped her hand into Veronica's and squeezed it gently.

"I think a date would be nice," Alix said, her nose crinkling when she smiled. "But I think we should keep this between us until we're sure there's really something here. There's no point upsetting our family for what might be just a very hot fling."

"Agreed."

Princess ruined the romantic moment by squatting down for her morning poop. Alix had to let go of Veronica's hand but pressed a quick kiss on the back before she did.

Veronica grinned so hard, it made her cheeks hurt. "You're cute."

"I'm picking up poop. "

"Yes, but you're charming when you do it," Veronica teased. She meant it though, everything about Alix was charming and so wonderfully down to earth.

Alix's laugh clattered through the quiet morning. "You're funny."

"I try my best." Veronica slipped her hand into Alix's, pleased that she could do that now without worrying. There were surely going to be obstacles in their future, but none of that could taint how happy she felt. Right now, it was just utter bliss to have a peaceful moment where it was just her and Alix and nobody and nothing else to bother them.

Except Princess, who was peeing on every lamp post and wall that she passed. She did it with such dignity too, her curled tail always proudly stuck up in the air like she was completing a mission from the Goddess herself.

Veronica squeezed Alix's hand. "This is nice."

"It is."

"So since we're dating now... then I can do this, right?" Veronica paused and pulled Alix into her, catching her in her arms. The sparkling smile on Alix's face was all the permission she needed to connect their lips. She sank into the kiss, wishing they weren't standing in the middle of the pavement. She wanted more but couldn't let herself get carried away because she wasn't looking to give any nosey neighbour a show.

Alix hummed, a soft and happy sound. "That was so lovely. Feels kind of surreal still."

"But good surreal?"

"Definitely." Alix squeezed her hand. "Hey, but we're not going to be like our parents and rush into things, right?"

Veronica grinned brightly. "Really? So you don't want a proposal by the end of the month? Shocking."

"Don't even joke about that!"

"Hmm, maybe it's too soon," Veronica admitted, her eyes rolling up when she thought about their lovesick parents and the stupid engagement party. At least she would get to see Alix but that was the only thing she looked forward to.