Page 22 of California Wild

Jesse let his eyes fall shut for a second. “I meant it. Every word.”

“Yeah.” Her voice softened. “I know.”

A pause.

Jesse waited.

Hayley exhaled. “I… didn’t know what to say.”

Jesse pressed his lips together, nodding to himself.

She was drunk. He wasn’t going to push.

“It’s okay,” he said, voice low. “You don’t have to say anything.”

Another beat of silence.

Then—voices in the background.

People calling for her.

And then—Caiden’s voice.

“Hayley—let’s go.”

Jesse’s stomach curled, sharp and bitter.

“I’m sorry,” Hayley said softly. “I have to go.”

Jesse closed his eyes, ignoring the way his fingers curled into his bedsheet. “Right. Yeah.”

A pause.

A hesitation.

Then, before he could stop himself—

“Can I see you before you leave?”

The words hung in the air.

He regretted it instantly.

Hayley went still. He could hear the way her breath caught, even through the phone.

“Jesse…”

He ran a hand down his face, shaking his head. “Forget it. I didn’t mean—”

“No, it’s just—” She sighed. “Is that a good idea?”

Jesse swallowed, forcing his voice steady. “I don’t have expectations.”

A beat.

Then—“Okay.”

Jesse blinked. “Okay?”

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