Ethan's POV
We all filed out of the house and went to the beach. The sand was hot under our feet, and the ocean stretched out in front of us like a sparkling blue promise of relaxation.
Jess dropped her bag unceremoniously onto the sand and started rummaging through it. She pulled out a large beach towel with flamingos on it and spread it out. "This is my territory. Trespassers will be tickled."
Matthew snorted. "Tickled? Really? You're going with that?"
"Hey, it's effective," Jess retorted, brandishing a feather she had stashed in her bag.
Ashley shook her head, setting up her towel next to Jess's. "You're all insane."
"I prefer 'eccentric,'" Jess said, lying down dramatically.
I pulled Stella close as we laid our towels down side by side. The sun felt good on my skin, and I could
