Page 166 of California Wild

“Alright.”

Jesse expected him to push.

To say something about therapy, coping mechanisms, how he wasn’t invincible.

But Heath just stood, clapped a hand on his shoulder, firm and solid.

“Just remember you don’t have to do this alone, Navarro.”

Jesse didn’t answer.

Just went back to his gear.

Back to the things he could control.

* * * * *

A few hours later, Jesse’s lungs burned as he hit the last stretch of his run, feet pounding against the pavement, the salty evening air thick in his throat. The island was quiet at this hour—just the way he liked it. The occasional distant hum of a car, therhythmic crash of waves beyond the dunes, the glow of city lights reflecting off the bay.

He slowed to a stop, hands braced on his knees as he caught his breath. Seven miles in. Enough to take the edge off.

Or at least, it should have been.

His phone buzzed in his pocket. Not his work phone. His personal one.

He pulled it out, swiping at the sweat clinging to his forehead as he glanced at the screen.

Hayley.

Still driving. Still in Zoe’s car. ETA two hours-ish. Traffic is brutal.

Jesse smirked, thumbs moving across the screen.

I’ll pick you up downtown when you get in.

She texted back almost instantly.

Oh? You don’t trust me to make it home alone?

Jesse chuckled, shaking his head.

Don’t want my pregnant wifey out in the city too late.

A pause. Then—

Wifey?

Wow. Zero to sixty, huh? This is just like last time, haha.

Jesse’s smirk faded slightly.

Because she wasn’t wrong.

Last time had been just like this.

Meet. Fall hard. Move in. Be glued to each other.

Burn hot.

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