To cover her surprise at the question, Frazer reached for her water and took a sip. “She’s working with me on the project.”

“Don’t bullshit me, big sister. I learnt how to do it from you, so I know all your tricks. Who is she?”

Rolling her eyes, Frazer clenched her fist. “Jemma, that’s the truth.” Now. “She works with me on the project. And she’s a friend.”

“Lying.”

“I’m not lying!” Frazer’s voice rose, and Jemma pursed her lips and leant back in her seat. She even crossed her arms. This was exactly why Frazer had disappeared the last few months. Her sister and her friends could read her like a book.

“Then why so defensive?”

Frazer pursed her lips and looked away. What did it matter if she told Jemma? But what was the point now if it was over? It was why Frazer had gone swimming for a collective six hours in less than twenty-four.

“Frazer.” Jemma straightened again, resting her hand over Frazer’s, where she gripped a napkin too tightly. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing anymore.”

Not even blinking, Jemma stared at her. “But there was?”

“It was nothing, Jemma.”

“It was something.”

Frazer pulled her fingers away, not feeling like she deserved the comfort. “We were… We were sleeping together.”

Still Jemma didn’t pull away. Didn’t flinch. She left her hand where it was, an offering. “And she’s married?”

“To my boss.”

That got a rapid blink, but nothing else. “How long for?”

“Three months.”

Giving a soft whistle, Jemma still didn’t move. “Are you in love with her?”

“What? Jesus! No. No. Definitely no.” Frazer bit her lip. “It was stupid. Something that should’ve ended ages ago. But it’s ended now anyway.” Frazer’s heart started to race in her chest.

“Is she splitting up with her husband?”

“I don’t know, Jem.” Frazer groaned and buried her head in her hands. “They were having problems when it first started, but we don’t—didn’t, talk about him. We were friends, and sometimes we slept together.” More than sometimes. “But we never talked about her marriage.”

Frazer finally looked up from her hands, expecting reproach in Jemma’s eyes. All she saw was someone clearly listening. “Why aren’t you condemning me?”

With a shrug, Jemma answered, “Nothing’s black and white. I mean, it’s not good. But it’s pretty obvious you know that. You don’t need me making you feel worse.”

For someone reason, that comment did make Frazer feel just that. “It’s over now.”

Jemma nodded. “Okay. And you have to see each other at work?”

“We really do work on the programme together. So yes. She’s a friend…”

“Right. And I’m you’re aunty.”

“What?”