Daniel stood by the velvet rope at the exit ramp.

He turned his head and saw her walking toward the stage.

He pushed his way through a cluster of parents holding expensive cameras, ignoring their annoyed murmurs.

He stepped directly into her path and stopped, forcing her to halt abruptly.

He checked his heavy silver watch.

The metal caught the glare of the overhead track lighting.

“Claire,” Daniel said.

It was the first time he had spoken her name directly in ten years.