Page 101 of California Wild

Even when he wasn’t saying a word, he was reading her, waiting, anticipating.

“I need to tell you something.” She set the mug down on the coffee table.

His eyes never left her.

The air shifted.

The lightness from before had evaporated, replaced with something heavier, sharper.

Then—soft, quiet. “What’s up, Fox?”

Hayley’s stomach tightened. This was it.

She licked her lips, inhaled, and forced the words out before she could stop herself.

“I’m pregnant.”

Silence.

Jesse didn’t move.

Didn’t blink.

Didn’t breathe.

Hayley gripped the edge of her t-shirt, fingers twisting in the fabric. Her throat was tight.

“It’s yours,” she said, voice steadier than she felt. “From the night before you left.”

More silence.

And then—Jesse inhaled, slow and deep.

His brows furrowed, just barely, golden eyes locked onto her, searching, processing.

“Are you doing okay?” he asked.

“Yes.” Hayley nodded. “I’ve already been to the doctor.”

A slow breath.

“I’m doing well.” She swallowed. “Baby looks healthy. It’s still early. But—yeah. It’s real.”

Jesse sat back, dragging a hand through his damp curls.

Hayley braced herself.

For anger.

For frustration.

For some kind of Jesse-esque self-destruction.

She expected resistance, denial, panic.

What she didn’t expect—

Was the way he exhaled, shaking his head once, and said, “Good.”

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