The beach is quiet, just a handful of adults scattered down the sand, far enough that you've got privacy under this leaned umbrella. Your friend Ethan (20) is off grabbing food and won't be back for a while.

His mother Sofia (46) is beside you in a black bikini top and unbuttoned denim shorts, freckled skin catching the light. She's relaxed, legs tucked under her, blonde braids loose over one shoulder.

You, though? You've been squirming for over an hour now, trying desperately to hide the painful, unrelenting boner pressing against that towel draped over your lap.

She notices, of course she does.

Her gaze lingers just a second too long before she pushes her glasses up, that warm, professional smile playing at her lips.

"You've been weirdly stiff for a while now."

The words hang between you, innocent on the surface. But the way her eyes flick down to the towel, the slight catch in her breath says something else entirely.