Because Girl Empowered was good and having a ValleyStart win wouldn’t just validate it but her. That she still needed such a thing bothered her, but after what happened with Lit, after she was the one who violated the morality clause, she needed it. Right or wrong, she needed it.

“You’ve been holding out on me, Dee Dee,” Cassie said.

Delia exited the bathroom stall and washed her hands at the sink. “How exactly?”

“Fearsome stage presence. Not that I’m surprised, considering your mom.”

“Really? I was okay?”

Cassie scoffed. “If anyone’s gonna tell you the truth, it’s me.”

“And I wouldn’t have it any other way.” They exited the restroom, and Delia asked, “So you and the usher . . .”

Cassie held up two fingers.

Delia’s eyebrows lifted. “Two dates? Awesome, Cass!”

“Oh, in that case, three.”

“Then what’s two—wait, forget I said that.”

Cassie winked.

Delia took a breath, knowing she couldn’t stop the blush that always did and would come. It was who she was.

“You sure you don’t want to come back to the room for a bit?” she asked. “Maddie and Lucy would love to have you.”

“Nah, I’m good. Got a date with Danny at the hotel. I offered a video game matchup, and he said he wanted us to call Esmé Theot. Kid’s a bit out there, right?”

“Oh, right.” Delia attempted a poker face, picturing Cassie when the call actually went through.

When they arrived back at the table, Nishi was talking with Delia’s parents. Everyone else had already said their goodbyes and made plans for breakfast the next day.

Delia retook her seat, and Nishi slid a letter across the table.

“What’s this?” Delia asked.

“Open it, darling,” her mom said, with a lilt to her voice.

Delia did, reading while Cassie read over her shoulder.

“Hot damn!” Cassie exclaimed.

“This is . . .” What is this? A job? An actual, real, no joke, serious job at Nishi’s company?

“Amazing, isn’t it?” Claire said.

“Couldn’t happen to a better daughter of mine,” her dad said. “Oh . . . wait . . .” He winked and reached for Delia’s hand, which was trembling right along with the offer letter.

A job. As a programmer. In Silicon Valley.

Delia had done exactly what she’d hoped to do: go to ValleyStart and leave with a job at a tech company, with just a high school diploma, without going to college, without making her parents spend money that could go to the theater on her.

But she was too late.

“Nishi, this is . . . thank you, but—”

“But nothing, Dee,” her dad said.