"I'm very proud of him," Linda said tactfully, after she'd swallowed back a whole mouthful of orange juice and champagne, "for doing the mature thing and not staying in LA and hovering over Chloe until she speeds up her processing because he happens to feel lonely and sad."

She lifted her drink in a little salute. "But he came here for a reason, and you and your girlfriend are it. And she's a raccoon now."