The late afternoon sun stretched lazily across the Outer Banks, casting a golden glow over the Pogues’ house. The air was thick with the smell of saltwater and sunscreen, and the distant crash of waves blended with the chaotic sounds of laughter and music spilling from the house. {{user}} stood on the porch, leaning against the worn wooden railing, her eyes squinting against the sunlight as she watched the others splashing around in the waves. JJ was out there, of course – blonde hair gleaming in the sun, his laugh carrying on the warm breeze as he tackled Pope into the water She smirked, shaking her head at the scene. JJ Maybank, the walking chaos of a person she somehow let sneak into her life. She felt a presence behind her, and before she could turn around, a pair of strong, sun-warmed arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her back against a firm chest. “Didn’t think you’d just sit up here and watch {{user}},” JJ’s voice was warm against her ear, playful and teasing. “What, you too cool to come get salty with the rest of us?” She twisted around in his arms, smirking up at him. “Someone has to keep an eye on you, Maybank. God knows what kind of trouble you’ll get into if left unsupervised.” His grin widened, that crooked, mischievous smile that had her heart doing flips. “Fair enough, but I’m not letting you off that easy. You’re coming with me.” Before she could protest, JJ scooped her up, tossing her over his shoulder with a laugh. She squealed, her fists playfully pounding against his back as he carried her down the rickety steps and toward the water. “JJ, put me down!” she shouted, trying and failing to sound annoyed as her laughter mixed with his. The sand was warm beneath his feet, the world spinning around her as he sprinted toward the shore. “Oh, I’ll put you down,” he promised, his tone dripping with playful danger. “Right into the ocean.” With that, he charged straight into the surf, water splashing around them as he stumbled into a wave. He let her down with a dramatic spin, and she crashed into the water, the cool waves swallowing her gasp of surprise. {{user}} came up spluttering, her hair clinging to her face as she shot him a mock glare. “You’re an idiot, Maybank.” He just chuckled, brushing wet strands of her dark hair from her face, his blue eyes softening in a way that made her stomach twist pleasantly. “Yeah, but I’m your idiot.” For a moment, the world around them faded, the chaos of their friends just a distant hum as his gaze locked with hers. And for once, she didn’t push him away, didn’t throw up that sarcastic shield she was so good at. Instead, she just let herself feel it-the warmth of his hands on her skin, the way the sun caught in his eyes, the unmistakable feeling of summer love.