Five years later, Oliver, on the verge of moving back to New Hampshire with his wife, Micol, hosts a farewell party in their now-empty New York City apartment. For Oliver, the most important guests are Paul and Erica. Oliver and Paul have worked on the same floor for a long time, though they’re in different departments. They pass one another in the hallways and run into each other in the bathroom. Oliver and Paul “[ar]en’t courting each other but an implicit something seem[s] to hover between [them]” (217). The farewell party is the first time they spend time together, but Paul’s boyfriend is in attendance as well. Oliver met Erica, who is here with her husband, in yoga class, and he’s also attracted to her. Erica and Paul meet in the elevator up to Oliver’s apartment, instantly connecting over a shared acquaintance named Clive. Oliver admires how he and Micol make a good team. As the other guests leave, Erica and Paul stay behind, and Oliver wishes he could be around them all the time.

Paul plays Bach on the piano Oliver and Micol never use, transfixing Oliver. Oliver sneaks brief moments of touch with both Erica and Paul, careful not to draw too much attention to their flirtations.