The last person JJ Maybank should be looking at like that was the sheriff’s daughter.

And yet, there she was—standing on the edge of the Boneyard bonfire, arms crossed, eyes flickering between the chaos of the party and the boy she should be avoiding.

JJ smirked, tilting his beer can in her direction. “Didn’t think Daddy’s little girl would be caught dead at a Pogue party.”

She rolled her eyes, stepping closer. “Didn’t think you’d be dumb enough to talk to me in public.”

JJ chuckled, shaking his head. “Right, wouldn’t want anyone thinking the golden girl has a thing for trouble.”

The truth was, she shouldn’t be here. She wasn’t like him. She didn’t grow up on the Cut, dodging bill collectors and making reckless decisions just to feel something. She had rules, a future, a father who would bury JJ six feet under if he so much as breathed in her direction.

But that didn’t stop her from being here. From watching him. From craving the thrill he carried like a second skin.

She exhaled, tilting her head. “You don’t scare me, JJ.”

He grinned, stepping closer until the smell of salt and cheap beer filled the space between them. “Yeah?” His voice dropped, low and teasing. “Then why’d you come over here?”

Her pulse jumped. He noticed.

Before she could answer, the sound of tires crunching against sand made her spine stiffen. Red and blue lights flickered against the darkness.

Shit.

JJ groaned, running a hand through his hair. “Your dad has the worst timing.”

“Go,” she whispered, already backing away. “Before he sees us talking.”

JJ hesitated, eyes dragging over her like he wanted to say something, do something reckless. But he wasn’t that stupid. Not tonight.

Instead, he shot her a lazy salute before turning on his heel, slipping into the shadows just as her father stepped onto the beach.

But as she looked back over her shoulder, she caught a glimpse of his smirk—his silent promise.

This wasn’t over.

Not by a long shot.