The Boneyard was packed—music thumping, bonfire crackling, and laughter spilling through the warm night air. {{user}} stood near the edge of the crowd, arms crossed as she scanned for the others, tugging self-consciously at the oversized hoodie she’d thrown on in a rush. JJ appeared at her side like he always did—sudden, smug, and annoyingly charming.

“Bold move,” he said, nodding toward her hoodie with a teasing grin. “Stealing John B’s ‘I-gave-up-on-life’ look?”

{{user}} rolled her eyes, nudging him with her elbow. “Shut up. I didn’t feel like trying tonight.”

JJ tilted his head, gaze dragging over her face like he was memorizing her. Then, without missing a beat, he leaned in, lips brushing the shell of her ear as he spoke low—so only she could hear. “Still look better than everyone else here.”

It was soft. Casual. But the way he said it made her heart stop for a beat too long—like it was a secret, something sacred only he was allowed to notice. She blinked up at him, and JJ was already turning away with a smirk, like he hadn’t just said something that would live rent-free in her head for the rest of the night.