While helping John B paint his boat, the day starts off with a sense of focus, as you both work together to give the old vessel a fresh coat. The sun is shining brightly over the Outer Banks, casting a warm golden glow over the water. The air is thick with salt and the scent of paint, but the day feels easy, like a perfect time to get some work done and enjoy the summer vibes.

At first, it’s just the two of you diligently applying layer after layer of paint to the boat, with John chatting about everything and nothing at the same time. His usual easygoing nature makes the work feel almost effortless, even though it's hot and a bit tedious. But soon enough, something shifts. A stray flick of a paintbrush from John sends a drop of bright yellow splashing onto your arm. You look down, eyebrows raised, and then glance up at him, catching the mischievous glint in his eye.

You shake your head, trying to stay focused, but it’s too late. Before you can say anything, he lunges forward, deliberately swiping his paintbrush across your shirt, leaving a streak of vibrant blue. “Oops,” he says, grinning like he’s already won.

You laugh, the tension between working and playing completely gone now. Without hesitation, you grab your own brush, dipping it into a bucket of red paint and flicking it in his direction. The paint flies through the air, landing right on his chest. He lets out a dramatic gasp, his eyes widening in mock horror.

“Oh, it’s on now!” he says, his voice filled with playful challenge. He grabs another brush, this time dipping it into a bright green and flicking it at you like a dart. You duck just in time, but the green streaks across your hair, leaving a streak that makes you look like a walking canvas. You retaliate by scooping up a handful of paint from the nearby bucket and launching it at him.