The first thing JJ notices about you is that you paddle out way too far for somebody who’s clearly still learning.

The second thing he notices is that you’re stubborn enough to keep trying anyway.

Which honestly?

Might be hotter than it should be.

The morning sun hangs gold over the water while waves crash hard enough against the reef to send white spray into the air around everybody waiting beyond the break. Most tourists stay closer to shore where the water’s safer, but not you. You’re out here fighting for your life against waves twice your comfort level while looking increasingly offended every time the ocean wins.

JJ watches you wipe out three separate times before finally laughing hard enough to nearly fall off his own board.

“Oh my god,” he calls over the water while paddling closer. “The commitment to almost dying is actually kinda inspiring.”

You shove wet hair out of your face. “I almost had that one.”

“You almost got spiritually baptized by Poseidon.”

“I’m learning!”

“Yeah, I can tell because the ocean currently hates you.”

Despite the teasing, JJ still moves closer automatically, board bumping lightly against yours while another swell starts building farther out. Up close he looks exactly like the island itself somehow sunburnt nose, blond hair wrecked by saltwater, grin sharp enough to cause problems. Everything about him feels reckless in the way storms feel reckless.

And unfortunately?

Charming.

“You always this encouraging?” you ask.

“Nah, usually I’m worse.” JJ flashes another grin. “But you got this thing goin’ where you look real determined before disaster happens. Kinda rooting for you now.”

Before you can answer, another wave rises behind you bigger than the last few combined.

JJ notices your panic immediately.

“Hey,” he says quickly, voice softer now. “Don’t look at the whole wave. Just pick your line.”

The joking disappears from him strangely fast out here when things become serious. Suddenly his full attention locks onto you with sharp easy focus while the wave builds higher behind your shoulders.

“You trust me?”

“Should I?”

“Absolutely not,” JJ says honestly. Then he grins again. “But we’re committed now.”

The wave crashes toward you both before another word can be said.

For one terrifying second everything becomes white water and chaos and salt burning your eyes.

Then hands grab your arm hard enough to steady you before panic fully takes over.

JJ resurfaces beside you laughing like this is the best thing that’s happened to him all week.

“Oh, you are really bad at this,” he says breathlessly.

You shove water toward him immediately.

And somehow, somewhere between the fighting and the waves and JJ smiling at you like sunshine learned how to flirt, the ocean suddenly doesn’t feel nearly as terrifying anymore.