Summary

Chapter 1 begins on March 13, 2020.

The narrator, Diana, a 29-year-old associate auction specialist, is on her way to meet with Kitomi Ito, a celebrity. Kitomi is selling a painting by Henri Toulouse-Laurtec to Sotheby’s, where Diana works. On the way, Diana reflects on how she is “on track” with her plan regarding her life, career, marriage, and kids. She leaves tomorrow for vacation with her boyfriend, Finn, a medical resident at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, and discloses that she found an engagement ring in his drawer. When Kitomi meets with Diana, she says she is not ready to sell the painting due to her fears regarding Covid.

Diana gets back to the office and argues with Eva St. Clerck, her boss, about losing the sale. Upset, Diana speaks with Rodney, her best friend at Sotheby’s. He reminds her that she is leaving on...