He knew he should have been insulted on at least three different levels even though—or perhaps because—her appraisal of what he wasn’t was so accurate, but he found himself pleased that she approved of him, even if it was for all the wrong reasons. “I tend to make the worst of what I’ve got,” he said.

“That’s a very becoming trait in a man,” she said, “as long as you’re not married to him.”

2.

She led Desmond out to a wide, unpainted deck that still smelled of fresh cedar. The land behind the house dropped off precipitously, creating the illusion that the deck was floating off the back of the house. There was a stand of trees somewhere at the edge of the lawn, and rising above it was the skyline of Boston, glittering through the haze of the sticky twilight. A long table was set for dinner, and beside it, in a black wrought iron chair, a woman was gazing at the city and sipping from a wineglass. Although she must have heard them approach—Jane’s sandals slapped against the new boards—she sat turned away, as if she were deep in thought or hard of hearing. Or more likely, Desmond thought as he took in her appearance, striving to make a dramatic entrance, even though they were the ones entering. Her dark hair was gathered in a tight little knob that sat on the crown of her head and added length to what was already an exceptionally long and graceful neck.

“It’s a great view,” Desmond said. In fact, he was tired of views by now and longed for a filthy air shaft every once in a while, but it was the kind of view that demanded comment.

“If only it were a great city,” the woman in the chair said.

Jane introduced her as Rosemary Boyle, “the writer.” He had a dim memory of having heard the name and said, “Ah,” in a tone he hoped suggested impressed recognition.

“Rosemary and I have been friends since college,” Jane said.

“More or less,” Rosemary added cryptically.

“Rosemary’s here to teach at BU and hating every minute of it.”

“Not every.” Rosemary seemed to be leaving open the possibility that this could be one of the exceptions, providing you kept her properly entertained.