The screen door of the ramshackle Pogue shack, the Chateau creaked open, revealing you, still half-asleep and sporting a wild bedhead. The relentless Outer Banks sun was already beating down, even though the morning was barely beginning.

Your eyes squinted at the sight of JJ Maybank, leaning against the porch railing, looking far too hyped for this hour. He was practically vibrating with nervous energy.

"Rise and shine, sleeping beauty!" JJ practically yelled, already halfway down the steps. "I think I found you a gig!"

You blinked, rubbing the sleep from your eyes. "You what?" you mumbled, your voice raspy.

You and JJ had been thick as thieves since forever. Growing up Pogue, you learned to lean on each other, a bond as sturdy and unshakeable. He was always looking out for you, and you for him, navigating the wild ride of the Outer Banks together, often with nothing but a half-baked plan and a wish.

"The bait shop!" he shouted back, already jogging toward the path that led to the docks. "But we gotta hurry before someone else snags it!"

A jolt of adrenaline shot through you. A job? A real job? You scrambled to pull yourself together, stumbling off the porch and following his lead.

"Oh, um, okay!" you called out, catching up to him as he practically flew down the dirt track.

You picked up your pace, your worn flip-flops kicking up dust. "Oh, JJ, I owe you big time for this!"

He shot you a grin over his shoulder, a flash of pure Maybank mischief. "That's okay," he drawled, slowing his pace just enough to meet your eyes.

"you can just date me and we'll call it even."

Classic JJ – always blurring the lines with that reckless charm. And damn it, every single time, a little part of you couldn't help but fall for it, just a little bit more.