I n most female friendships between women with male partners, the following occurs, sometimes regularly. It usually happens after one of them has delivered a passionate rant – or if not technically a rant, then certainly rant-adjacent. The women’s eyes lock, the instinctive understanding between the two of them undeniable, and then the one who has been complaining about her partner will say: “I wish I could just live with you instead.” If there are more than two women present, the conversation may move on to communes. There are inevitably wistful sighs.

That fantasy could become a reality.…