𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞 - JJ Maybank

Chapter 96: Lovey Dovey

"Are you sure this is the right place? Cleo asked as the truck pulled up to a massive pier.

"It was the address that was in the file. But he probably just gave a fake address," JJ grumbled, "That's what I would've done."

"You guys really think he's here?" Cleo turned to look at JJ and Grace. The five of them were crammed onto the bench of the truck, Pope driving, Cleo beside him, then Kiara, and finally JJ with Grace perched on his lap in order to fit in.

JJ shrugged. "I don't know. But I need some fresh air."

Grace nodded along while tugging open the door. "Agreed."

She hopped off of his lap and into the sand, JJ following behind, leaving their three friends with much more room to stretch out in the truck.

"Have fun!" Pope called out the window like a dad.

JJ smirked. "Oh we will."

"I'll bring your son home in a timely manner, sir," Grace grinned before JJ slung an arm around her shoulders and the couple headed up onto the pier.

"So... hypothetically. If psycho actually does live under the pier like a troll, what are we gonna do?" she asked as they wandered casually.

"Run." JJ deadpanned. When he took in her unconvinced face, he quickly corrected himself. "I'm kidding all right? We detain, extract, investigate," he listed on his fingers.

"How are we gonna detain?"

"Uh, I mean, we, like, sneak up on him, like, spy-like," JJ answered, clearly coming up with it as he spoke.

Grace shrugged. "Sounds good to me. I've always wanted to be an undercover spy. We just gotta pretend we're a lovey dovey couple on a date."

"We are a lovey dovey couple," JJ said while grinning, "At least according to our friends."

Grace nodded, faux thoughtful look on her face. "True. But... you've never taken me on a date. So I don't really know how convincing we're gonna be."

JJ scoffed as if it were the funniest thing he's ever heard. "We've been on a date."

"Running from cops doesn't realllly count I don't think," Grace teased.

"I'd beg to differ. It's very romantic. Bonnie and Clyde type of thing," JJ immediately protested.

Grace was quick to amend her argument. "Okay then, running from cops with our entire group of friends doesn't count as a date."

JJ wagged his finger at her dramatically. "Got me there."

"So we're officially dateless."

JJ thought for a moment before a grin settled on his lips as he pulled her further into his side with the arm draped around her shoulders. "We're on a date right now."

Grace laughed but quickly got into character, sinking into his side happily. "Our very first date, I can't believe it. You know usually you get married after at least  the fifth date I think."

The duo leaned up against the railing at the very end of the pier, staying side by side.

"So no marriage yet but do you kiss on the first date?" JJ asked through a grin.

Grace gasped dramatically while pressing a hand to her chest. "How very forward of you."

JJ rolled his eyes affectionately before pulling her in and placing his lips on hers.

She smiled into the kiss while raking her fingers up into his hair.

When they pulled apart JJ smiled softly down at her. She looked slightly exhausted after their eventful couple of days and nights but he was sure he looked the same. Despite her worn out expression, he couldn't help his heart from warming in his chest.