Page 120 of California Wild

And now he was walking in with Hayley fucking Fox on his arm.

He felt the shift before the door even shut behind them. Heads turned—not hostile, not even curious. Just surprised.

Navarro brought someone?

Not just someone. Her.

The band’s tempo picked up as they crossed to the back patio. Hayley was quiet beside him, her hand brushing his as they weaved between tables. She didn’t cling—she never did—but he could feel the way her energy spiked. Nervous. Maybe even excited. Like she was stepping into something she wasn’t quite sure she was allowed to be a part of.

And Jesse?

He wasn’t sure either.

He spotted Isaac first—leaned back in a chair near the corner of the patio, one ankle hooked over his knee, beer in hand, sunglasses pushed up into his hair. Effortless as always, cool even when surrounded by a bunch of sunburned operators tossing peanuts at each other.

Isaac clocked them. And for a second, nothing changed.

Then he grinned. A slow, knowing curve of his mouth. “Damn, Navarro,” he said smoothly, lifting his beer in greeting. “Didn’t think I’d see you two out in public. Look at you, breaking patterns.”

Jesse smirked. “We’re unpredictable these days.”

Hayley smiled, but Jesse caught the flush that bloomed high on her cheeks. He wasn’t sure if it was from Isaac’s attention or just being seen like this. With him.

Isaac stood, offering her a quick hug—not too much, not too familiar. Just cool, easy charm. “Good to see you again, Fox.”

“Likewise,” she said, her voice light, but Jesse could tell. She was scanning, taking it all in.

Heath was there too, seated at the far end of the table. He lifted his chin in greeting, expression unreadable but familiar in that way Jesse always trusted. Dom sat beside him, nursing a beer with his usual quiet intensity. Zach leaned across the table, toothpick tucked into the corner of his mouth, grinning like he knew something Jesse didn’t.

Of course he did.

Zach elbowed Heath. “Told you he’d show with her.”

Heath didn’t even look up. “I didn’t bet on it. Was a sure thing.”

“Which means I owe twenty bucks,” Zach muttered, tossing Jesse a mock glare.

Jesse raised a brow. “You bet on me?”

Zach grinned. “No offense, bro. Just didn’t think you’d bring the girl out to the sacred temple.”

Isaac tilted his beer toward Jesse. “Breaking your own rules. I like it.”

Hayley let out a quiet laugh and leaned closer to Jesse’s side. Her shoulder brushed his. He could feel the warmth of her skin through his shirt, grounding and dangerous all at once.

“She’s the one making me look civilized,” Jesse said dryly.

Isaac gave him a long look, something quieter behind his smile. “Nah, man. You look like someone who finally figured out what he wants.”

That landed harder than Jesse expected.

The guys shifted, spreading out, making room for them at the table. Jesse guided Hayley to a seat beside him, his hand lingering a second too long on her back as she slid into the chair.

She fit.

And that scared the shit out of him.

Drinks arrived. Someone called out a request to the band. Hayley laughed at something Zach said, and Jesse just… watched her. Watched the way she lit up when she talked music, the way her legs crossed under the table, the way she never once seemed like she didn’t belong.

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