Across the room, Lucy was standing on a chair, shining the flashlight on her phone over the crowd. Maddie lifted her hand and gave a halfhearted wave.

“Maybe not everything,” Maddie qualified, surprising herself.

They both watched as Lucy weaved her way through the dance floor to reach them.

“She’s performing well,” Nishi said. “I suspect she doesn’t exactly relish the idea of following in someone else’s footsteps.”

Maddie cocked her head.

“Of course she hasn’t mentioned her mom. Well, Abigail Katz was in tech before someone told her she shouldn’t be.” Nishi looked at Maddie, considering her words. “Navigating the Valley takes some adjustments, more for those of us who don’t look like Mark Zuckerberg. I won’t deny the heavy level of self-importance and the frat boy mentality. But there are smart people with some great ideas here. We just need more of them.”

“Ideas?”

“People. Especially ones that bring new perspectives. Like your team.”

Maddie gave a derisive laugh. “Yeah, Lit’s going to change the world.”

The edges of Nishi’s lips gently curled before she forced them back into a straight line. “Maybe it will and maybe it won’t. But the people behind it can.”

“Hey!” Lucy said to Maddie. She nodded to Nishi. “Hip place, right?”

“It’s very Ryan. You’ll see during the Pulse field trip at the end of the program. You seemed to be having fun, though?”

Lucy tilted her head. “You aren’t?”

“CEOs don’t dance.”

They could all see Ryan twirling Emma Santos.

Nishi corrected herself. “Different rules for the gents. It is Silicon Valley, after all.” She gave her seat to Lucy. “Just about time to start loading up the bus. Remind me never to chaperone again. And when I don’t listen because I’ve got a memory like a sieve and a heart like a Disney character, remind me not to do it in heels.” She slipped off her shoes and swung them in her hand as she headed toward Ryan.

“Have you been here the whole time?” Lucy asked.

“Mostly.”

“Come on, Maddie. Don’t you want to get to know people? Tonight was supposed to be about having fun.”

“And by fun I assume you mean kick-starting a summer fling?”

“Summer what?”

“An incubator boyfriend. Looked like you were testing out candidates.”

“Dancing’s just dancing, Maddie. No one has time for dating.”

“Don’t tell Delia that.”

“Where is she? I’ve been looking all over for you both.”

“She’s out front.”

“You didn’t leave her alone, did you?”

“She’s an adult. But no, she’s with Eric.”

“That’s what I need to talk to you both about.”

“Delia’s love life?”

“No, not directly anyway. And since when does Delia have a love life?”

Maddie shrugged.