Page 81 of Outcast’s Vow

Jake’s attention turns to me.

“This is Sylvie,” Baptiste tells him.

“Hello, Jake.”

“You have a good date,” the founder tells me with a wink.

“I’ve got a good date,” Baptiste interjects surprisingly sincerely.

Jake winks at me.

“And she’s my wife,” Baptiste adds as a cool threat.

Jake laughs and pats my husband on the back, still staring at me.

“Wife? I didn’t know you were married.”

“I am now.”

“Jesus. I never took you for a marrying type, Baptiste.”

“Neither did I. But here we are.”

Jake smirks.

“Baptiste’s a genius, you know? Everyone in this industry respects the hell outta him.”

I raise an eyebrow.

“They do?”

“Oh, yes,” Jake replies. “I’d still be getting my head dunked in the toilet by my high school bullies if it weren’t for this man giving me the belief to go my own way. I owe him a lot.”

“Baptiste’s never mentioned that.”

Jake pats my husband again on the back.

“He’s not exactly an oversharer,” he says.

“I’ve noticed,” I reply, smiling knowingly at my husband.

Baptiste scowls.

“It’s good to see you, Jake.”

“I see you two are getting along,” Jake says, grinning, “so I’ll leave you to it. It was good seeing you, Baptiste. Drop by the office and we’ll chat.”

“Will do.”

When Jake leaves, Baptiste sits back down next to me.

“You really know Jake Kingfisher?” I ask my husband in disbelief. I would’ve thought he knew some famous people, but not the guy who runs the social media all of us use every freaking day.

“He’s a member of the Castaways,” Baptiste replies, “and a friend.”

“I’m surprised. So, the mysterious genius has friends in high places. Who would’ve guessed?”

“It’s not bad for a poor boy raised by a single parent in public housing. I grew up in the underbelly of this city, and now here I am drinking and dining with the elite of the elite.”