Page 28 of California Wild

Hayley snorted. “I never hated the ocean.”

“You sure?” He flicked her a smirk. “Because I remember a certain someone swearing the deep sea was a gateway to hell.”

She grinned. “That’s different. The deep sea is terrifying. I still stand by that.”

“Sharks gonna eat you?”

“Jesse.” She rolled her eyes. “There’s so much worse than sharks. The ocean is full of nightmare fuel.”

Jesse chuckled, and for a moment, it felt too easy.

Like no time had passed. Like she hadn’t spent the last three years trying not to think about him.

The waves crept closer, licking at the edges of the beach.

Hayley hesitated, then stepped forward, letting the tide reach her toes. The water was cold, shocking against her sun-warmed skin.

She sucked in a breath, grinning. “Still cold as hell.”

Jesse watched her.

Didn’t say anything.

Just stood there, hands still in his pockets, that unreadable expression making her stomach twist.

Finally—“You’re still the same.”

Hayley blinked, turning back to him. “What does that mean?”

Jesse smirked, eyes skimming her up and down, slow and knowing. “Still fun. Still a little naïve. Bet you still think people don’t notice when you steal their fries.”

She gasped. “You always offered!”

“Food thief.” His grin widened, flashing those straight white teeth, those sinful lips that had once made her scream his name.

She swallowed hard.

Jesse had always been too much.

Too much presence. Too much intensity.

And yet, there was so much she still didn’t know about him.

They’d spent months together. Living together.

And still—so many things had gone unsaid.

She glanced at him, watching the way his shoulders moved, the way his gaze stayed distant, always looking past her, never quite giving her everything.

“I lived with you.” The words came out softer than she meant.

Jesse’s head tilted slightly. “Yeah.”

“That’s crazy.” She shook her head, kicking at the wet sand. “Like, I crashed at your place for months, but somehow… I feel like I barely knew you.”

Jesse was quiet for a long moment.

Then, finally—“You didn’t.”

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