They approached us together.

“Claire,” Mark said quietly.

“Mark,” I replied.

Miriam’s smile returned, sharp as glass. “Well. You came.”

“You invited me.”

“I did.” Her eyes moved slowly over Norton. “And you brought…?”

“Norton,” he said smoothly, extending a hand. “Claire’s date.”

Miriam shook his hand as if touching something suspicious.

“Well,” she said, looking him up and down, “someone’s doing charity work.”

My stomach tightened.

Before I could respond, Norton smiled.

“Jealousy is a sin, ma’am.”

A few people nearby gasped.

Someone laughed into their drink.

Miriam’s face twisted so quickly I almost missed it.

Mark looked down.

And for one beautiful hour, I felt untouchable.

Norton was perfect.

He remembered every detail I had told him. He knew I loved old mystery novels, hated olives, and once won a regional debate competition Miriam had tried to sabotage. He charmed people without making me disappear beside him. He pulled me into conversations and stepped back so I could speak.

Former classmates approached.

Some were friendly.

Some were curious.

Some looked guilty.

“Claire,” one woman named Vanessa said softly, “I’ve thought about you over the years.”

I didn’t know what to say.

Before Vanessa could continue, Miriam appeared beside us like a shadow with perfume.

“Oh, I’m sure Claire has told Norton all kinds of stories about us,” she said.

Norton looked at her. “Only the memorable parts.”

Miriam laughed, but her eyes were cold.

That was when I realized she wasn’t embarrassed.

She was waiting.

The Announcement

It happened just after dinner.

The music softened. People drifted toward the dessert table. I was finally beginning to relax when Miriam tapped her champagne glass with a fork.

Ting. Ting. Ting.

The sound sliced through the room.

The DJ lowered the music.

Miriam walked to the microphone near the stage with that old confident swing in her hips.

“I have something to say,” she announced.

My chest tightened.

Norton’s hand found mine.

“Don’t,” I whispered.

He didn’t look at me. “Stand still.”

Miriam smiled at the crowd.

“I know reunions are about honesty, memories, and catching up,” she said. “And since we’re all adults now, I think we should be honest.”

Her eyes landed on me.

Then on Norton.

“He isn’t her boyfriend,” she said. “She paid him.”