Another scorching summer day in the Outer Banks, where the sun was relentless and the air buzzed with that wild, restless energy. The Pogues had their usual run of the place, living on the edge, chasing whatever thrill came next. And JJ Maybank? He thrived in this chaos, but there was one thing that got under his skin—you.

From the moment he met you, it was like you were designed to get on his nerves. Maybe it was the way you brushed off his flirting with that smirk that drove him crazy, or the way you never let him get away with his cocky attitude. Yeah, you were frustrating as hell, but JJ couldn’t deny you had a way of keeping things interesting.

John B and Pope were over the constant tension between you two, while Kiara got a kick out of it. They’d had enough of the bickering, so they decided to force your hand.

Out on the pontoon, the sun was setting, and the five of you were in the usual groove—drinking, laughing, the world spinning just right. JJ leaned back, pretending he didn’t notice you, but you were all he could think about. Then John B, Pope, and Kiara wandered off, mumbling something about getting drinks. JJ didn’t care, not until he heard the engine start up and the sound of their laughter fading into the distance.

Realizing what was happening, JJ sprang up, his stomach dropping as he watched them speed off in a smaller boat, leaving the pontoon—and you—with him.

“Well, this is just great,” JJ muttered, taking a long swig of his beer, trying to mask the mix of irritation and something else he wasn’t ready to admit. He glanced at you, sunglasses hiding the flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. This was either going to be a disaster or the best damn thing that ever happened to him.