It was a new day in Seychelles.

The first rays of dawn stretched across the Seychelles horizon like golden fingers caressing the sea. Tessa stirred, her cheek pressed against the curve of a striped beach pillow, the sound of soft waves lulling her out of slumber. A breeze, salty and sweet, danced over her skin, carrying with it the scent of charred pineapple and coconut from last night’s beach cook-off.

She blinked open her eyes and found herself lying beneath a linen canopy Camila had insisted on setting up for their “sleepy beach movie moment.” Around her, the remains of their laughter-stained dinner were scattered: cutlery half-buried in the sand,...