ALEXANDER
Irene's smile widened. She pushed herself out of the chair and came toward me with her arms open.
I barely had time to react before she wrapped them around me.
I returned the embrace, still trying to make sense of her unexpected presence. It had been weeks since I'd last seen her, and I hadn't known she was coming back, let alone that she'd be waiting for me in my office when I returned.
As she pulled away, I glanced at Cole, who was standing near the door. He gave me a knowing look before shrugging, as though he had no explanation for how Irene happened to be drinking in the office.
I turned back to Irene, intending to ask when she'd arrived and why she hadn't informed me. However, as I looked at her more closely, I frowned, my attention shifting between the wine and her fa
