There was no point going home and dwelling on Cora. She refused to be that woman. She had thought she could go into this and be just what Cora had wanted: a friend with benefits. Instead, she’d become a gross walking stereotype. All she had to do now was buy two cats and call it quits; though they might eat her fish, and that would be devastating.

Maybe she would just buy a floor-to-ceiling aquarium and become a fish lady instead.

Decision made, she left her car in the work parking lot and walked down to the bar. If the air had been cold before, now it was freezing. Her jacket barely made a difference, and it was with relief that she slipped into the warm bar five minutes later. A cheer from the corner led her to her two friends.

“Yes, yes, I’m here.”

“It’s a Christmas miracle!” Rob looked like someone who was already a few in.

“It’s July, idiot.” Andy’s cheeks were flushed.

“Guys, it’s also Tuesday. And you’re drunk.”

Andy flashed her teeth. “It’s ladies’ night!”

“You’re straight.”

“But you’re not.” Andy wrapped an arm around her shoulders and held her close, pressing a shot into her hands. “Embrace it.”

The dark brown liquid was the same colour as Cora’s eyes, and with relish, Frazer shot it back and made it disappear. Like she needed to with these feelings.

Rob whooped and clapped, passing her another. “I do love Cheap Tuesday.” He giggled as they all took another shot, then contorted his face as he swallowed the liquid. “Why let the uni students have all the fun?”

Frazer’s throat was burning, and her mouth tasted like her first year of university. Even then she hadn’t been idiotic enough to fall for the straight girl. “Another?” she asked as if the spirits could make the sick feeling in her stomach disappear.

Andy stared at her, eyes wide. “Rob, quick!” She stage-whispered. “Before she changes her mind and disappears to hang out with her fish!”

Snickering, Rob gestured at the bartender.

“Well,” Frazer took the new shot, “we can’t have that.” It slid down her throat far too easily, with only the smallest of gasps.

They hid in their corner for way too long, Andy chattering about a deal at work. A look of guilt flashed over both their faces, and they asked Frazer how her programme was going. Tempted to bore them with too many details in the same manner they always did with her, Frazer instead kept it short. Their look of relief was satisfying.

“Though I did deliver a baby yesterday that weighed over five kilos. Vaginal birth and all.”

Andy blanched so quickly that Frazer thought she was going to pass out. Next to her, Rob’s mouth fell open. “Over five kilos?”

“Mhm.”

“Isn’t, isn’t that like, two babies?”

Not really. “Pretty much.”