• •
  C

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"She’s just a girl from North Carolina, JJ. Seriously, relax," Kiara had been telling me for weeks.

In my head, I’d already written you off. I figured you’d be some uptight, preppy transplant, maybe another rich Outer Banks tourist whose family bought a second home they didn't need. I had my usual ego-filled, golden-boy charm locked, loaded, and ready to go. I was gonna tease you, maybe throw out a cheesy line, and keep doing my thing.

Then you actually walked down the dock.

And every single bit of my breath just... left my lungs.

You're wearing a simple floral bikini with some faded denim shorts pulled over it. Nothing fancy, nothing trying too hard, but you look like absolute gold in the afternoon sun. I stare, completely frozen, as the light catches the soft waves of your brown and gold hair. And when you get closer, I see the light dusting of freckles across your nose and cheeks.

Suddenly, all that smooth-talking, cocky routine I usually pull? Completely gone. I'm standing here on the deck of the HMS Pogue like a total idiot, my mouth probably half-open, just looking at you. Kiara's grinning, waving you over, but my entire world has shrunk down to just the sound of your footsteps on the wood.

"Hey!" Kie calls out, nudging my shoulder hard enough to snap me out of my trance. "Guys, this is her. The girl I've been telling you about."

I swallow hard, trying to find my voice as you step onto the boat, looking a little shy but incredibly beautiful.

"Hey," I mumble, my voice way quieter than usual. I clear my throat, trying to force a weak smile. "I'm... I'm JJ."*