She looked at it and back to Cora.

“We can’t.” Frazer whispered it, as if that could stop it from being heard.

She hated herself that it was only the open door that stopped her.

Cora’s brow furrowed. Slightly, but enough to show disappointment. “I know.”

Did that disappointment have Cora hating herself just as much?

The door flew open, and they flew apart.

“Frazer! Alec needs to see you—” Tia stopped in her tracks. Looked from one of them to the other. “Hi, Cora.”

Her heart thudding so hard she felt nauseated, Frazer turned her computer back around and slumped back into her chair.

“H-hey, Tia.”

After a moment that felt too long, Tia tore her eyes from Cora’s flushed face to speak to Frazer. “Can you?”

“Can I what?” Frazer tried to look relaxed and probably looked constipated.

“See Alec?” Tia raised her eyebrows at her.

“Yeah, yeah, sure. I just need fifteen minutes. I have to go over a schedule with Cora, and then I’m free.”

“Okay.” Tia stared at them for another moment that felt too long but could have been normal. Between them, Cora fumbled with her phone and flicked her thumb through her messages. “See you then.”

When Tia walked out, the door was left wide open.

Breathing became possible again. Frazer reached for her mouse. “Well, uh—tomorrow night at six okay?”

“What?” Cora asked.

“Tomorrow at six? I can introduce you to one of the clients I thought would be a good fit. For many, we’ll both get to know them, but there’s one I thought you’d be great for as a mentor. The appointment’s for six thirty, so if we meet at six, I can brief you?”

“Sure.”

Cora stood. “I’ll see you at six tomorrow.” At the door, she paused. Turned back. “Maybe we could have a coffee at five?”

Frazer stared at her. “Really?”

“Friends do that?”

Why did she say it as a question, then? Frazer nodded. Tried to smile. “Okay. Five, then.”

The door snicked closed. Frazer let her head drop heavily onto the desk in front of her.

A groan left her involuntarily.

Now to go face Alec.

* * *

Lunch with her sister was the perfect way to catch up. It always had a time limit. And it meant she could try the new Italian restaurant around the corner from work easily.

“Stop checking your watch, Frazer, or I’ll pelt my olives at you.”

Not even sheepish, Frazer picked up her fork. “I have an appointment at two. I can’t miss it.”

Jemma narrowed her eyes. “I’m completely aware that you agreed to lunch instead of dinner because you get to leave.”

Damn. “That’s not true!” If nothing else, Frazer didn’t have to admit to that. “I couldn’t do dinner tonight because I’m finally starting the program up.”

“Seriously?” Jemma leant forward, eyes intent on Frazer.

“Seriously.”