''Yeah,'' Sarah agreed, nodding.

She suddenly perked up, squinting toward the horizon. ''Guys,'' she called, her voice rising. ''Boat. Boat.''

Startled, I jolted upright, clutching my chest as my heart skipped. ''Jesus, Sarah, don't give me PTSD or some shit,'' I huffed, shaking my head.

''Oh, snap!'' Kie exclaimed, pointing toward the water as the outline of a boat became clearer.

Cleo pushed off the counter, already moving toward the dock. ''Hey, hey, hey.''

''Guys, a boat!'' Kie repeated, her excitement building.

Sarah turned toward the sleeping boys, clapping her hands sharply. ''John B, wake up. JJ, wake up!''

Pope shut his book and stood. ''Somebody's here,'' Sarah announced.

JJ groaned, rubbing his face as he sat up. ''Is that a motor?''

Sarah nodded. ''Yes.''

''Get ready, get ready, get ready,'' Cleo urged, jogging down the dock.

Sarah grinned, spinning around to face the group. ''It's our first customer!'' she declared.

JJ hopped up ''Guys, come on! Come on!''

John B and Pope bolted down the dock, practically racing to greet the boat. JJ waved enthusiastically. ''Howdy, sir!''

''How you doing?'' John B called, his voice warm and welcoming.

JJ hoisted a bag of ice from the cooler with a flourish. ''I got your ice right here!''

Sarah leaned over the counter, her smile bright. ''And we've got bait.''

JJ added with his signature charm, ''Bait, beer, a fresh pot of gumbo! What do you want?''

The guy on the boat stepped forward, his eyes lighting up as he looked around. ''Holy shit. You've got all this live bait?''

Cleo crossed her arms, smirking. ''Big and small.''

''Oh, yeah, it's our secret sauce,'' JJ chimed in, winking.

''Please don't call it that.'' I whispered, standing next to him.

The guy nodded approvingly. ''Give me a whole bucket.''

''Coming right up,'' Cleo replied, grabbing a net and heading toward the tank.

''Man, beer, granny-made sandwiches. I wish y'all had opened up sooner.''

''We're gonna be open 24/7, my friend, so nothing to worry about,'' JJ informed him confidently.

''Not actually true,'' Pope corrected. ''We're not open 24/7.''

Kie jumped in, smoothing things over. ''Still working out the hours.''

The customer chuckled, answering his phone as he handed over cash. ''Hey, I'm here. This place is the tits, Bobby. They even got pogies. A whole tank of 'em!''

I exchanged an amused look with Cleo as the guy handed Kie the cash. ''Just, uh, just keep the change.''

''Thank you, guys,'' Sarah told them, her smile warm and genuine.

''Come back,'' Kie added, waving as the boat pulled away.

As the boat disappeared over the horizon, John B slung his arms around JJ and Pope's shoulders, pulling them into a triumphant hug. ''Boys, that's the smell of success.''

''First sale, baby! Whoo!'' Cleo cheered, pumping her fist in the air.

Sarah laughed, holding up the bill. ''He said we were the tits!''

JJ nodded proudly. ''I know.''

''First dollar of our first-ever sale,'' Sarah announced, holding the bill up like a trophy.

''Oh, yeah,'' Pope agreed, his grin wide.

Sarah grabbed the stapler from Kie and found a prime spot on one of the shop posts. ''A new spot,'' she declared, securing the bill with a satisfying click.

Before the excitement could settle, Cleo called out, her voice sharp. ''Hey, guys!''

Kie turned toward her. ''Yeah?''

Cleo pointed toward the water, her eyes narrowing. ''Incoming!''

She cupped her hands around her mouth, yelling toward the boats now heading in our direction. ''We're open!''

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