Lily’s apartment six weeks earlier.
Rachel asked Daniel who Michael was, and Daniel answered, “No idea,” without taking his eyes off us. Then he asked Rachel if she knew him, and she immediately realized his question was not casual. Michael joked about waving or kissing my cheek, but I told him no, even as Daniel watched me laugh again.
Daniel had entered the lobby wanting me to see him with Rachel, but he had not expected to see me relaxed beside another man. As they headed toward the elevators, Daniel looked back, and Michael quietly said, “That man is not over you.” I reminded him Daniel was living with another woman, but Michael said people could choose something and still resent losing what they threw away.
Fifteen minutes later, Daniel texted, “Who are you with?” I ignored him, so five minutes later another message arrived: “Claire. I asked you a
