Frazer opened the door wider and Cora slipped past. When she looked back at Jemma, it was at a red face and clenched fists. The look verged on murderous. Cora wisely kept moving further into the lounge.

“So she gets invited in?”

“Jem—it’s a work thing. I can’t say no. We work on the programme together.”

“At seven o’clock in the evening at your house with you in your pyjamas?”

All Frazer could do was blink at her.

“Right.” Jemma’s arms dropped to her sides. “Fine. Call me when you can be bothered.”

“Jem!”

Without bothering to turn around on her walk to her car, Jemma just threw her hand up in a wave. This wasn’t good. Her sister was never mad at her. Cranky, sure. Annoying, definitely. Never mad.

And why the hell was Cora here? They hadn’t made plans. In fact, they hadn’t spoken since Frazer had sent her a message that said not to worry about Tia mentioning anything.

When she closed the door, Frazer leant her forehead against it. Took a deep breath. Why hadn’t she ended it with Cora months ago? Why had she let it start?

These were questions she didn’t want to ask herself.

Finally, she straightened and walked into her lounge room. Cora was standing in the middle, staring at her aquarium. Her hair was in a braid, tendrils around her face. There was still something about Cora, something that remained untouchable to Frazer. They were friends; that was certain. They were friends with benefits. They had good sex. Cora had opened up to her, slowly. They shared more than just coffee chat.

But there were times she was further away. She was married, yes. But Frazer didn’t know if it was just that. How could she ever know? They couldn’t have a relationship.

And Frazer had no right to feel bitter about that. She’d known what she was getting into.

Or thought she had.

Watching Cora’s eyes follow a darting fish, the damn Dory one that always beat up her Nemo, the urge to ask Cora a question that she’d never let herself bubbled up. It traced its way along her throat and almost made it past her tongue: What do you want, Cora? Are you gay? Are you bi? Are you straight? Do you want to leave your husband?

But then Cora turned. Caught her eye.

“I thought I’d locked the door.”

Frazer nodded. “I know. I thought I saw you do it.”

“I mustn’t have turned it all the way.”

“Probably not.”

“What if that had been Alec?” Cora whispered.

That name dropped like a rock between them.

All Frazer could do was stare at her.

“This isn’t right, what we’re doing, Frazer.”

What could Frazer say? It wasn’t.

But Cora walked forward, into her space. Almost close enough to touch, but just too far. Cocked her head.