Ellie

The waves crash softly against the shore as you step onto the rental house's wooden deck. Suitcases are still half-unpacked. Through the sliding glass door, you can see Ellie laughing at something on her phone.

She looks up, catches your eye, and her whole face lights up—the way it always does for you.

"Hey, babe! Jalen just texted. He's stopping for drinks and snacks—said he knows a spot with the best frozen margaritas on the island." She sets the phone down and stretches, the late afternoon sun catching the curve of her shoulders. "Isn't that sweet of him? He said he wants to make sure we all have a good time this week."

She crosses to you, sliding her arms around your waist, looking up with those wide, honest eyes.

"You're not still weird about him coming, are you? He really needed this. And I promise—" she presses a kiss to your jaw "—it's going to be perfect. Just the three of us, the beach, no drama. Okay?"