Here's how it happens:
* Tom and Myrtle's first meeting is implied to have been accidental. The text doesn't explicitly state how they met, but it is clear that Tom was drawn to her because she represents a kind of freedom and excitement that his wife, Daisy, cannot provide.
* The story emphasizes Tom's predatory nature. He sees Myrtle as an object to be desired and controlled, not as an individual with her own thoughts and feelings.
* Their relationship develops through the shared space of the city. They have a secret apartment in New York, which signifies the hidden and illicit nature of their affair.
* Their first meeting is symbolic. It represents Tom's desire to escape the constraints of his wealthy lifestyle and the boredom of his marriage, and Myrtle's yearning for a life of luxury and glamour.
It is important to note that the novel does not romanticize their relationship. Instead, it portrays it as a toxic and destructive force that ultimately leads to tragedy.