Raisel’s POV

It’s the last week of July, and summer is hitting all the right spots. Sun on my skin, the salty ocean breeze, cocktails, bikinis, and beach vibes—I’ve missed this.

Hazel leans back in her rickety wooden chair at the shack on Oak Street Beach, her sunglasses perched low on her nose. “Oh, damn, girl. It’s been forever since we’ve taken a vacation together.”

“I just tagged along,” I reply, swirling my cocktail. “It was your idea, and… you were right. ...