Don walked back inside the house, his mind already shifting away from Cassie and focusing on the next steps in his plan.
He was met with the soft shuffle of footsteps as Samantha, still half-asleep, made her way toward the kitchen.
She was dressed in a loose pajama set—a light pink tank top with thin straps and matching shorts that barely reached mid-thigh. The fabric was thin, clinging lightly to her curves, and the set was clearly designed for comfort, with its soft, worn-in look.
Samantha rubbed her eyes, letting out a yawn as she caught sight of Don. "Donnie?" she asked, her voice thick with sleep. She blinked a few times, clearly surprised to see him. "Where are you coming from this early?"
Don quickly realized she must not have seen the note he'd left on his door. "I went out for a run," he explained, keeping his tone casual. "I left a note on my door in case anyone came looking for me."
