face even though he was the one who had trouble meeting her gaze.
“You look good,” he told her.
“Thank you.”
“How do you feel?”
“Okay.”
“How’s Gabe?”
“He’s fine.”
Donatti exhaled and looked up at the ceiling. Then he focused on her face. “What can I do for you?”
“Interesting question,” she told him. “I’m still trying to figure that out.”
He scratched his cheek. “I’ll do anything.”
“Can I quote you on that?” Before he could answer, she said, “I’m not ready to come back with you.”
Donatti folded his hands in his lap. “Okay. Are you ever going to be ready?”
“Possibly…probably. Just not now.”
“Okay.” Chris glanced at Decker. “Could we get a little privacy, please?”
“Not gonna happen.” Decker held up the flowers. “He brought you these.”
Terry glanced at the lilies. “I’ll call for a vase later.” To Chris, she said, “They’re lovely. Thank you.”
Donatti fidgeted. “So…when do you think…I mean how much longer do you want to stay here?”
“In California or here in the hotel?”
“I was thinking away from me, but yeah, how much longer are you going to be here, too.”
“I don’t know.”
“A month? Two months?”
“Longer than that.” She licked her lips.
“That’s getting a little on the expensive side. I mean, not that I’m begrudging you the money…”
“It is expensive,” Terry said. “I want to rent a house. Technically you’d be renting it. I saw one that I’d like. I’m just waiting for you to write the check.”
Decker was amazed at how confidently she spoke, daring him to deny her anything.
“Where?” Donatti asked.
“Beverly Hills. Where else?”
As she started to stand, Decker said, “What can I get for you?”
“I’m a little thirsty.”
“You sit back down. What would you like?”
“Pellegrino, no ice.”
“Not a problem. What about you, Chris?”
“Same.”
“Give him a Scotch,” Terry said.
“I’m fine, Terry.”
“Did I say you weren’t?” she snapped back. “Give him a Scotch.”
Donatti threw up his hands. Decker said, “No problem just as long as both of you stay put.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” Donatti said testily. As soon as the Scotch reached his lips, he seemed to calm down. “So…tell me about this house that I’m renting.”
“It’s in an area called the Flats, which is prime real estate here. It’s twelve thousand a month—about as minimal as it gets for that neighborhood. It needs a little work, but it’s certainly live-in ready. The main reason I chose Beverly Hills was for the school district, which is a good one.”
“No problem,” Donatti said. “Whatever you want.”
Judging by this conversation, it would seem that Terry was in control of the relationship. Maybe she was most of the time. Obviously most didn’t equate to all.
Donatti said, “Do I get a key?”
“Of course you get a key. You’re renting it.”
“And how long do you intend to live out here…in the house that I’m renting?”
“Usually leases are for a year.”
“That’s a long time.”
Terry leaned forward. “Chris, I’m not asking for a legal separation just a physical one. After what happened, that’s the least you can do.”
“I’m not arguing with you, Terry, I’m just trying to get an idea of how long. If you want a year, take a year. It’s about you, not me.”
She was silent. Then she said, “You’ll know where I am, you’ll have a key to the house. Come whenever you want. I’m not going anywhere. Fair enough?”
“More than fair.” Donatti forced his lips upward. “It’s not bad for me to have a hitching post on the West Coast anyway. It’s probably a good idea.”
“So I did you a favor.”
“I wouldn’t say that. Twelve thousand a month. How big is this sucker?”
Terry gave him a smile—a cross between humor and flirtatiousness. “It has four bedrooms, Chris. I think we can work something out.”
Donatti’s smile turned genuine. “Okay.” He took a sip of his booze, then laughed. “Okay. If that’s what you want…fine. Maybe you’ll actually miss me when I’m gone.”
“You can dream.”
“Very funny.”
“Are you hungry?” Terry’s eyes ran up and down his body. “You lost weight.”
“I’ve been a little anxious.”
“How would you know what anxiety feels like?”
Donatti looked at Decker, his eyes unreadable. “The girl’s a wit.”
“Are you hungry, Chris?” Terry asked him.
“I could eat.”
“They have a world-class restaurant.” She glanced at a diamond wristwatch sitting among her gold bracelets. “It’s open. I wouldn’t mind something.”
“Great.” He started to stand, but then looked at Decker. “Can I get up without you shooting me?”
“Go down to the restaurant and get something for the two of you, Chris. Get a table next door for me. We’ll catch up with you in a minute.”
Donatti’s expression turned sour. “We’ll be in a public
