He got stuck behind a trio of young women with sunglasses pushed up on their heads and purses flapping against their hips. In the deepening twilight, the packed street no longer seemed festive but seedy and carnival-like. Reluctantly, Nate started walking in the opposite direction. Juliet's strides, as she receded into the distance, were long and determined, but she moved stiffly, like a person determined not to let on that her shoes hurt her feet. But what would he say? And there was no time.

He wanted to try, at least, to put things on a better footing. She looked at him for a fraction of a second and then turned away, began walking quickly toward the river and the adjacent strip of restaurants and bars. 'You're an asshole,' she said before he had the chance. He wanted to do something for her, say something earnest and truthful and kind. He saw her suddenly not as an adversary but as a vulnerable, unhappy young-youngish-woman. Nate could see-it was obvious-that she took his words as a rejection. But he pictured Elisa's wounded, withering look if he showed up so late that all her guests had to wait on him to start dinner, heard her slightly nasal voice brushing off his apology with a 'whatever,' as if she had long since ceased to be surprised by any new bad thing he did. It's not worth it.'Ĭould have at least what? Nate wanted to know. 'You could have at least-' She shook her head. He touched a hand to his hair-it always reassured him a little, the thick abundance of his hair. He was already late to Elisa's dinner party. 'I just thought you might be in a hurry.'

'Jesus, Juliet!' Nate took a small step back. 'Really, Nate? That's all you have to say to me?' ' Really?' Juliet's voice became throaty and animated. 'Are you headed to the train?' he asked, pointing with his chin to the subway entrance on the corner. Nate glanced from Juliet to a cluster of passersby and back to Juliet. Her dark hair was loose, and she wore a belted blue dress and a black blazer whose sleeves were bunched up near her elbows. She crossed her arms in front of her and began gazing meditatively at a point just above and to the left of his forehead. Then she realized who it was.Īt the sound of his voice, a tight little grimace passed over Juliet's eyes and mouth. For an instant she looked pleased to make out a familiar face on a crowded street. Juliet was already squinting with recognition. It was too late to pretend he hadn't seen her.

The love life of nathaniel p