She wasn’t supposed to be here. At least, not according to the Kooks. Pougelandia was a Pogue spot, and if the wrong people saw her here, she’d never hear the end of it.

But here she was—standing in the middle of the surf shop, running her fingers over a waxed board that probably cost more than what JJ had in his bank account. He’d noticed her the second she walked in. Not just because she was a Kook, but because she didn’t belong here in the way most Kooks didn’t. She looked uncomfortable, out of place, like she was waiting for someone to call her out.

JJ leaned against the counter, arms crossed, watching her. “Didn’t know Kooks shopped local.”

She turned, brows lifting. “Didn’t know Pogues cared.”

Oh. Fiesty.

He smirked, pushing off the counter and walking toward her. “Depends on the Kook.”

She rolled her eyes but didn’t leave. That was interesting. Most Kooks wouldn’t have lasted this long in a conversation with him, not unless they were trying to start a fight. He glanced at the board she was looking at. “Thinking of picking it up? Or just touching expensive things for fun?”

She hesitated, then sighed. “I need a new board. My brother broke mine.”

JJ frowned. “What, like on accident?”

She let out a short, humorless laugh. “No. He got pissed at me for messing up his ‘perfect wave’ and threw it against the rocks.”

JJ let out a low whistle. “Damn. Kooks are hardcore.”

“Tell me about it.”

She didn’t elaborate, but JJ could read between the lines. He’d seen it before—the way the Kooks ate their own, the way privilege didn’t mean protection when it came to family.

“Tell you what,” JJ said, tapping the board. “You buy this one, and I’ll show you how to actually use it. Sounds like you need a better teacher than your brother.”

She studied him, skeptical. “And why would I trust a Pogue to teach me?”

JJ grinned. “Because, princess, I’m the best damn surfer in the Outer Banks.”