Page 42 of Outcast’s Return

“Is it any good?” I ask.

Steven strokes his chin and gazes out of the coffee shop window.

“Worcester Asset Management? I thought they were on life support.”

“As you can see, I don’t think that’s the case,” I reply, my voice tiny.

“You think everyone else in this town is wrong?”

I nod.

“Yep.”

He once told me that business is cutthroat. Steven Rinde is not a bullshitter.

“You have it in the bag,” he finally says.

“Yeah?”

“If you show them what you’ve shown me here, then you’ll blow them away.”

“You think so?”

Steven smiles.

“I can’t argue with your figures, Jolie. You always had a head for numbers.”

“Thank you, Steven.”

He takes a sip of his cold coffee.

“Jolie?”

“Yeah?”

“I’ve never seen you so nervous before,” he remarks. “Something’s wrong with you, I can tell. What’s up?”

I could tell him about Fabien. I could tell him all about the insanity of this week and how it’s fucking around with my head, but I remain tight-lipped about that craziness.

“Nothing,” I reply. “I simply want to make sure I do the best job with this pitch. It means everything to me.”

Steven leans forward, his voice softening.

“Jolie, you’ve got this. You are the smartest woman I know. You don’t need to be nervous. Truthfully, you’ve got good work here.”

I let out a sigh.

“Thanks, Steven. Honestly. Thank you for reading it over. For reassuring my crazy ass.”

“I’d love to have a copy of this,” he says, pointing at the folder. “Just to look over again. See if I spot any minor tweaks.”

“Sure. I’ll email you the document as soon as I’m back in the office.”

“Perfect.”

“Steven?”

“Yes, Jolie?”