“But—”

“So, will you adopt from a shelter? ’Cause pet shops are kind of evil.”

With only a subtle roll of her eyes, Lisa let her change the topic.

* * *

Coins jangled as Frazer shoved them into the parking machine and tapped her foot as she waited for it to print out a ticket. She checked her watch again. Okay, she wasn’t late. But technically, for an interview, she should be there early. Not walking in right on the dot.

Or maybe that’s exactly what she was meant to do as the employer.

Frazer blew a piece of hair out of her eyes, marvelling at what she was now. An employer. She was better cut out for working with someone, not having them work for her. But she could do this.

The machine finally spat out a ticket, and Frazer threw it on her dash. Trying to appear calm and collected, like an employer probably should, Frazer entered the café with her shoulders straight.

Because surely that would make her look confident.

When she pushed open the door, she scanned the room for someone who looked like they were waiting for her.

Frazer wasn’t entirely sure how that would look, but she tried anyway.

Her gaze stuttered, then paused completely at a corner table where Cora was sitting, blinking at her as if in as much shock as Frazer felt to see her.

For a second, Frazer considered fleeing. Then she remembered she was an adult. Also, Cora had already seen her, which meant fleeing wouldn’t work. So she squared her shoulders, which had dropped quite drastically from their previously confident position, and forced a smile as she walked over. It was possible that it looked insane, and she tried to tone it down. Smiling winningly at Cora had been easy once.

Why did Cora have to be there?

But really, it was okay. They could say hi, be nice, and Frazer could go and do the interview while not focussing on just how incredible Cora looked. She was almost glowing, her skin healthy and a shade darker than when Frazer had last seen her. Her eyes were bright, even while widened in surprise.

Why did Cora have to be there, looking amazing?

“Cora! Hey!” That was far too over the top. Frazer cleared her throat and made herself calm down. “How are you?”

“I… I’m good. How are you going?”

Frazer went to bury her hands in her pockets, her balled-up fists skimming her sides awkwardly, because it turned out she was wearing pants that didn’t have any. How awkward. “I’m great—fantastic. I’m here to do an interview.”

Cora’s tongue swiped her lower lip, and Frazer hated herself for watching it. The point of not seeing Cora was that Frazer had hoped all of those thoughts and feelings would go away.

“That’s nice. I’m just here to meet Tia.”