The Wreck had been transformed into a Kook paradise—fairy lights, soft music, and polished perfection, a far cry from the rustic charm {{user}} loved about her family’s restaurant. Her parents had gone all out for the Midsummers party, and her lilac dress flowed as she stepped onto the patio, the breeze catching strands of her hair and her delicate flower crown.

Her parents had made the rules clear: No Pogues. No JJ. No exceptions. If they knew she and JJ had recently started dating, they’d explode. The thought brought a small, defiant smile to her face—a flicker of rebellion against their perfect world.

What she didn’t know was that JJ wasn’t about to let her endure this alone. Dressed in a white shirt, black jacket, and a bow tie with tiny flowers, he slipped into the party, tray in hand, blending in with the waitstaff. His blue eyes scanned the crowd until they landed on her, freezing him mid-step. She looked ethereal.

“Alright, Maybank. Focus,” he muttered, adjusting his grip on the tray. If her parents saw him, it’d be game over.

She turned, and their paths collided—literally. She gasped, catching her balance as empty glasses clinked.

JJ’s dimples appeared as he grinned. “Hey, Lilac.”

Her eyes widened. “JJ? What are you—”

“Dance with me.” He cut her off, set the tray on a table, and held out his hand.