Charlotte POV

"Alex, honey, are you home? Your mother said you would be here alone today, and I brought those cookies you like so much." I called out as I pushed open the front door with my hip, balancing the plate in one hand and my purse in the other.

The house felt quiet, almost too quiet, with that creak of the floorboards under my feet.

I stepped inside, kicking the door shut behind me, my heels clicking softly on the hardwood.

My heart picked up a little beat, not sure why, but there was this buzz in my veins, like I knew something exciting waited just around the corner....