Faye rose from her seat once the laughter in the room had begun to settle again. She smoothed a hand lightly over the front of her shirt and glanced toward the hallway that led to the kitchen.
“I’m going to check what’s going on in the kitchen,” she said.
Alexander gave a small nod, already half engaged in whatever Cole was saying next. Irene acknowledged her with an easy smile, and Faye slipped away.
The room remained lively after she left.
Cole was leaning forward in his chair, continuing some comment that had Irene laughing again. Alexander sat back beside them, listening with that calm attentiveness he usually carried in gatherings like this. Helen had settled comfortably into one of the chairs, watching the exchange with quiet amusement.
Jeffrey sat beside Irene, one arm resting
