Up close, his gaze searched Michael’s face without recognition.
“This your friend?” he asked me.
Michael flicked me a look, clearly enjoying the absurdity.
“Daniel,” I said, “this is Michael.”
Daniel offered his hand. “Daniel Harper.”
“Michael Lawson.”
“Are you from Columbus?”
“Portland now.”
“How do you know Claire?”
Ben coughed into his hand to disguise a laugh. Michael answered evenly.
“We go back a long way.”
“How long?”
“Very.”
Daniel grew irritated. “College?”
Michael scratched his beard. “Before that.”
Rachel arrived carrying two wineglasses, handed one to Daniel, and
