Page 207 of California Wild

She laughed. “Not once.”

Hayley smirked, rubbing a hand over her stomach. “You hear that, baby? You’re already giving your dad a hard time.”

Jesse groaned, shaking his head. “Kid, don’t start with me.”

The sonographer pressed a few more buttons, adjusting the angle, patience in every movement. “Let’s try this again.”

A few more seconds passed, then—finally—the image on the screen shifted.

Jesse leaned in, hard, eyes narrowing as he tried to decode the black-and-white mystery in front of him.

The sonographer pointed. “Okay, right there—see that?”

Jesse frowned. “See what?”

Hayley squinted. “I don’t—”

The sonographer grinned. “That, right there? That’s a boy.”

Jesse stopped breathing.

The words landed, heavy and undeniable.

A son.

Jesse let out a rough breath, his grip tightening on Hayley’s hand. A boy. His boy.

Hayley turned her head to look at him, and his face was wrecked.

Eyes locked on the screen. Completely, utterly wrecked.

The sonographer smiled knowingly. “This is where most first-time dads get real quiet or real emotional. You’re leaning toward emotional.”

Jesse let out a sharp, shaky laugh, rubbing a hand down his face.

Hayley squeezed his fingers, her own throat tightening. “Jesse…”

His eyes snapped to hers, shining, glassy, overwhelmed.

“A boy,” he said.

Hayley nodded, tears slipping down her cheeks. “A boy.”

Jesse exhaled sharply, pressing his forehead to hers, his hand slipping from hers to cover her belly, thumb tracing the curve like he was already memorizing the shape of their son.

The sonographer gave them a moment, smiling softly before continuing. “Everything looks great. Strong heart, developing perfectly. Beautiful baby boy.”

Jesse didn’t move for a long time.

Didn’t speak.

Didn’t breathe.

Just stayed there, forehead against Hayley’s, hand on her belly, feeling their son for the first time.

His son.

The sonographer stood up with a warm smile. “I’ll print the pictures and be back in a moment. You can clean up the gel now.” She handed Hayley a soft blanket before stepping out of the room.

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