So when the New Year arrived, she was on one side of the pool and he was on the other. Anna thought about the maxim that it was bad luck not to kiss someone at the stroke of midnight, which she told Alexander later, when they walked along the dark beach back to her parents’ place. He had responded there was no such thing as bad luck, but then turned and asked in a teasing voice, “Does someone need a kiss?” Anna remembered she wished Alexander had just grabbed her and kissed her in the moment, as opposed to always having to discuss everything.

Anna was surprised Alexander had chosen to drive down from Boston to see her today. Being spontaneous was not his way, as he was usually scheduled down to the quarter hour. This impromptu road trip of his would surely disrupt his entire weekend. Anna wondered whether he’d detected something in her voice when he called before she had left for the party.

When the train screeched to a stop in Greenwich, the platform was empty, and Anna was hopeful that Alexander had chosen to stay in his car waiting for her. She hurried off the train, pulling up the hood of her coat so she wouldn’t look around like a horse who needed blinders to be guided forward. She half ran, half walked in the direction of the parking lot when she heard Alexander call out her name. “Anna!” She bit her lip, and, keeping her face relaxed, turned.

There he was, her boyfriend, bundled in his navy Ralph Lauren parka over his pressed khakis, waving at her. Alexander wasn’t wearing a hat, so his hair was wet from the snow and flattened on his head. His ears … she thought to herself, have they always been so big?

Alexander walked up and hugged her, kissing her still warm cheek with his cold, thin lips.

“You made it,” he said, stating the obvious.

Anna fought to keep her composure. Be nice, she told herself, this has nothing to do with him. She grabbed his arm and tried to move him along, afraid to linger a moment longer than necessary.

“I brought you coffee and a croissant. Chocolate of course,” Alexander said, not budging. Of course you did, Anna thought. Never a surprise from you! “Maybe that will make you happier to see me?” He was teasing her, but she couldn’t help but feel like he was admonishing her for not appearing more pleased.

She forced a smile. “Thank you. Though I’m desperate to sleep, so you can have my coffee.”