As soon as the waiter came back with the glasses, he proceeded to pour some champagne for Jack and Lou. Jack tried to say that they’d wait for Miss Montgomery, but the waiter insisted he was following the lady’s orders.

After the waiter departed Jack picked up his flute. Lou did the same. They touched glasses although neither spoke. Jack tried to think of a toast but nothing appropriate or witty came to mind. Silently they tasted the sparkling wine.

“I suppose it’s good,” Lou said. “But I’ve never been a big fan of champagne. I think of it more as something to squirt around at athletic victories.”

“My feeling exactly,” Jack said. He took another sip and as he did, he caught sight of Laurie over the rim of his long-stemmed glass. She was dressed in a snug black velvet pants suit that outlined her undeniably shapely female form. A triple-stranded pearl necklace was clasped around her neck. To Jack she looked absolutely radiant. So much so that he momentarily choked on his champagne.

Both Jack and Lou struggled to their feet. The quarters were so tight that Lou nudged the table enough to spill his glass of champagne. Luckily Jack was still holding his.

“Oh, what a klutz!” Lou complained.

Laurie laughed, grabbed a napkin, and wiped up the spilled wine. The waiter appeared instantly to lend a hand.

“Thank you both for coming,” Laurie said. She gave each a peck on the cheek.

It was at that point that Jack realized Laurie was not alone. Coming up behind her was a darkly tanned, olive-complected man with thick, wavy hair and a mouth full of startlingly white teeth. He wasn’t too much taller than Laurie’s five feet five inches, but he projected a confident and powerful air. Jack guessed he was close to his own age. He was dressed in a dark silk suit that made Lou’s look as if it had come off a rack in a bargain basement. A bright foulard pocket square ballooned from his breast pocket.

“I want you to meet Paul Sutherland,” Laurie said. Her voice quavered as if she was nervous.

Jack shook hands with the man after Lou. As their eyes met, Jack had trouble telling where the man’s irises stopped and his pupils began. It was like looking into the depths of black marbles. His handshake was firm and resolute.

“Why are we standing?” Laurie asked.

Paul responded by instantly pulling Laurie’s chair out from the table. Once Laurie was sitting the others followed suit. The waiter quickly filled the champagne glasses.

“I’d like to propose a toast,” Laurie said. “To friends.”

“Hear, hear! “ Paul echoed.

They all touched glasses and drank.

There was a brief uncomfortable silence. Jack and Lou had no idea why Laurie had brought a stranger to their dinner party and were afraid to ask.