Page 3

THREE

Lena

Lena couldn't say she was looking forward to Alix's birthday party, least of all because it was held at Rheka's house. While Aditi's mother had always been perfectly pleasant when they were dating, there'd always been this slight edge of something that made it very clear that she didn't approve.

Even so, approval or not, she couldn't imagine Rheka would be warmer towards her now she'd broken her precious daughter's heart.

Lena grimaced just thinking about it while she parked her car a few houses away, not at all surprised by how busy it was. Alix had lots of friends.

She grabbed her present from the back of the car, wondering how many more shitty impersonal gifts she'd be giving throughout her life now she no longer could rely on Aditi.

Oh well. Alix conveniently kept the location of the party a secret, she deserved a generic scarf - and a swift kick to the buttocks but it was her birthday, so Lena was going to let that slide.

With leaden feet, she made her way up the familiar drive of Aditi's parental house.

There were more bushes and plants in the garden beds, which wasn't a surprise since Rheka worked in the local garden centre.

If Lena was still dating Aditi, she would've made polite conversation about the latest shrubbery or unruly monstera, but that was no longer needed.

She was just a guest. Alix's guest, even. Still, that didn't stop the nerves from making her hands twitchy as she rang the doorbell. She really, really hoped it wasn't Rheka who would let her in.

Luck wasn't on her side because within ten seconds, the door swung open wide and the much shorter mother of Aditi appeared. "Lena Brown. Well, well, well."

"Hello, Rekha," Lena said, already annoyed at being full-named. "May I come in?"

"Of course, you may," Rheka said, only moving back a step. "It's good to see you."

Loud yapping came from inside and quick as lightning, Rheka blocked the entrance, preventing a very small and angry chihuahua from running out.

"I'm getting real tired of your behaviour," Rheka said, reaching down to pick up the dog. "You shut your tiny snout."

Princess barked and tried to run in the air, the little drama queen that she was. Lena would never understand the appeal and she felt for Alix having to put up with this siren of an animal.

"There. Now, be quiet." Rheka put the chihuahua under her armpit. "So, Lena, how've you been?"

Lena could hear the unspoken rest of the sentence. How've you been since you broke up with my daughter?

She forced a smile. "I've been all right. How about you?"

"Oh, so and so. My health is a bit shaky but that comes with age. I've picked up some more hours at the garden centre which has been very fun. Joan recently retired, that was quite a hoot. I've mentioned Joan before, haven't I?"

Lena nodded dutifully as she followed Rekha into the house, listening in a way that a daughter-in-law would, not just a random party guest. She wished she could tell Rheka she didn't give a shit about Joan and the garden centre but that wasn't the sort of thing she could say to someone who had almost become her mother-in-law.

Because even if things were over between her and Aditi, insulting Rheka would be like sleeping with Alix, if Lena was so inclined. It was a boundary that couldn't be uncrossed. It would be a death sentence for any possible reconciliation.

They reached the living room where Alix jogged towards her and took Princess. At least she had the decency to look guilty.

"Lena! You made it!" She already looked a little tipsy. "It's so good to see you."

"Hmm-hmmm." Lena relaxed slightly when Rheka went off to the kitchen and held out her present. "Happy birthday."

"Yay!" Alix tore into the wrapping and gasped. "Oooh, that's so cute. I love that. I needed a new scarf."

Whether it was true or not, it was nice that she at least pretended it was a good gift.

"Interesting venue for your party," Lena remarked dryly. "Were all the commercial venues booked?"

"No but they were bloody expensive. This is free and Rheka fired up the grill and she made homemade naans."

"Don't try to distract me with homemade naans. You tried to trick me."

Alix didn't look guilty anymore. "That's your fault for cancelling ladies' night five times in a row. Five!"

"You can't blame me for not wanting to grab cocktails with my ex," Lena defended herself.

"I understand, which is why I had no choice but to trick you. I never see you anymore. But I am sorry, I know it was selfish of me."

With a sigh, Lena nodded. "All right, all right. Next time, just tell me. I knew in advance and I showed up, didn't I?"

"You did." Alix's eyes sparkled. "Does that mean you'll come to the next ladies' night too?"

Before Lena could answer, she caught a dash of dark hair in her peripheral. It wasn't Aditi but one of her cousins who didn't even look all that similar to her. Lena wondered when she was going to stop seeing Aditi every time she saw a flash of black hair. Maybe never.

Alix tapped her arm. "Lena?"

"Sorry, got distracted. What were you saying?"

"Ladies' night. Well, evening. We're doing dinner because it's better for Maria. Say you'll come."

"Sure," Lena said, still distracted. They were in Rheka's house, Aditi was going to be here. Somewhere. It was going to be virtually impossible to avoid her and she wasn't sure if she was ready for it.

That being said, she was going to try her damndest.

No more than fifteen minutes passed before Lena saw Aditi carrying some trays from the kitchen into the garden. They locked eyes and her heart jumped up in her chest, quickening as if it was the first time they saw each other.

Stupid heart.

Lena finished her juice, wishing she had taken a taxi so she could've had some wine, and mustered up the courage she needed to address the elephant in the room.

She sauntered over to Aditi, painfully aware that this was all wrong.

They should've come to this party together, celebrated Alix's birthday together, listened to Rekha boss them around together.

But that wasn't how things were anymore.

"Hey." Aditi flicked her dark hair over her shoulder. "I wasn't sure I'd see you today."

"I promised Alix," Lena said simply, doing everything she could not to notice just how beautiful Aditi looked. The light touches of mascara really emphasised her big brown eyes and she had such an adorable little crease in the bridge of her nose.

Maybe this would be easier if Aditi wasn't so bloody stunning.

"So... What did you get Alix as a present?" Aditi asked curiously.

"I don't think that's any of your business,” Lena murmured, not so loud that Rheka might overhear. She wasn't trying to be rude, she just knew whatever Aditi got her was better.

Aditi's pouting face was deadly. "I just wanted to make sure we didn't get her the same thing. We usually buy presents together, so..."

Lena sighed, trying to banish the memories of their gift-shopping adventures from her mind. It was true that they usually did this together but it was always more Aditi's thing. "I got her a new scarf, one with little bears. You?"

"Aw, that's so cute. She was just saying she needed a new scarf. And I got her a massage coupon because she’s been quite stressed recently.

And one of those little dog crowns for Princess.

Not a crown, but you know, it's kind of thinner and got those fake diamonds—" She snapped her fingers to jog her memory.

"A tiara?" Lena said before she could help herself. It was so easy to get drawn in by Aditi, like a moon that could never escape its planet’s orbit. Lena was angry at herself for still being so susceptible.

Unaware, Aditi just snapped her fingers. "Yes, that! I thought she would find that amusing. She loves that yappy little dog so much, it's honestly admirable."

This was all wrong.

Small talk with Aditi was wrong and Lena wanted no part in it.

The last person she wanted to make small talk with was someone she'd poured her heart and soul out to before.

All the deep conversations they had, about their pasts, their secret desires, their grand aspirations, she'd rather not speak another word to Aditi than cheapen what they used to have.

"I need to use the bathroom," Lena squeaked out, dashing off before Aditi could say anything else. At least the advantage of this party being in Rheka's house was that she didn't need to ask anyone where the bathroom was.