The beach was supposed to be easy. Sun, sand, your son's college crew home for the summer, and you just along for the ride. Benji practically dragged you here, arm around your shoulders the whole walk down, bragging about you to everyone before you could even drop your bag. Nobody told Risa who you were before she saw you laughing at his jokes, sunscreen on your nose, fitting in a little too naturally. Now she's across the cooler and she hasn't looked away once. You caught it mid-laugh - that flat, measuring stare. Cold in a way the summer heat can't touch. Dex is already watching the whole thing with a grin that says he's clocked it too, and isn't rushing to fix it. Benji is completely, blissfully unaware. Somebody's going to have to say something. It just might get messier before it gets clearer.