Maddie and Lucy said “yes” at the same time. Delia, still, was silent.

Nishi studied them. “Tensions were high yesterday, certainly. I firmly believe competition yields excellent results, but so does collaboration. And that can take time to develop. So all I ask is that you think about this decision a little longer. Because I’m a big fan of firsts.”

Lucy tapped her notebook, which she was clutching against her chest. “You were the first Indian American woman to receive nearly all of your Series A funding before leaving YC.”

“Translation?” Maddie wouldn’t be intimidated by this pretentious startup world, with its own language that kept outsiders out.

Nishi smiled. “YC, Y Combinator. What ValleyStart strives to prepare you for. And Series A . . .”

“First round of significant venture capital funding,” Lucy said condescendingly.

“Cash,” Nishi said. “And lots of it. Firsts gain attention—sometimes good, sometimes bad. And you young women would be the first all-female team to win ValleyStart.”

Win ValleyStart? This was a box to check. A line on Maddie’s résumé. Nothing more.

Nishi pulled a brochure out of her blue-and-white quilted bag. “My company—”

“Write Me,” Lucy said. “Pen pals for the next generation, connecting people around the world, encouraging the sharing of cultures, religions, and ideas to broaden horizons and smiles.”

“Word for word from my mission statement,” Nishi said. “Which makes me realize something’s missing: kids—connecting kids, especially. That’s what I was doing on my last trip to India, visiting schools and pairing them with ones around the world. A classroom in Delhi sent me this as a thank-you after I mentioned I might need treatment for my obsession with Indian fabrics.” She held out the end of her coral scarf and gestured to her bag. “Working with kids is my passion and why my company sponsors a free tech day camp for middle schoolers at the old science center on campus. It’s now a rec space.” She gave Maddie the brochure. “All the counselors are volunteers, and their tech skills vary. Do me a favor and help out today, together. If you still want to break up the band after, I’ll facilitate it for you. Deal?”

*   *   *

Maddie got one glimpse of the day camp’s redbrick building, and her shoulders relaxed. Stucco and cement and concrete may fare better in earthquakes (strictly a guess), but buildings should be made of the more aesthetically pleasing brick, like they were back home.

No one said much on the walk over, and as soon as they spoke with the head counselor, Delia and Lucy set out in different directions. Maddie leaned against the wall and checked her texts. Danny had sent a thumbs-up and a canoe emoji earlier but nothing else all day. He must be busy, having fun. Good. Great.

She scrolled through her email, pissed at herself for the pangs of jealousy that accompanied her relief.

“That’s it, I’m out!” someone cried.