New York City

New York City has no clearly established on-page role in the available passages: they do not place a scene there or identify it as a destination for the characters. The location remains distinct from the concrete geographic choice the passages do develop—Tessa’s possible departure and her plans to move to Seattle.

Setting and Evidence

The passages do not describe New York City’s geography, institutions, or any event occurring there. They therefore do not support treating the city as a developed setting in this portion of the story.

Contrast with Seattle

Tessa’s future plans are tied instead to Seattle. In a confrontation with Hardin, she explains that their conflict concerns more than his lies: she feels excluded from decisions about her own future and wants security. Their discussion later returns to whether he will support her going to Seattle, leaving their disagreement unresolved. New York City is not identified as an alternative destination in these exchanges.

Narrative Role

The location material here frames distance as a possibility in Tessa’s struggle to make decisions about her life and relationship, but it does not connect that possibility to New York City. The city’s specific significance, if any, cannot be determined from these passages.