She’d encountered the same difficulties Taylor mentioned when it came to meeting new people when she’d first moved to Austin. After downloading every dating app known to man, the dearth of options available to help make platonic connections—other than broad social media sites like Facebook and Twitter—had stood out in stark relief. She’d come up with the idea for an app-based way for those moving to a new city to meet people who shared their same interests. There were several apps on the market with a similar concept, but her idea went a step further.

Not only would her app pair newcomers with like-minded people; it would also give businesses a way to create one-of-a-kind experiences for all these new friends to share. A wine bar could put together a special wine-tasting event specifically for lovers of wine from a particular region of France. Or a fitness guru, like Taylor, could create classes explicitly for single mothers who wanted to get healthy.

None of the social apps that constantly appeared in her phone’s App Store had the added element of allowing businesses to create the kind of in-person experiences she had in mind. It seemed like such a no-brainer, Samiah was still floored that another developer hadn’t put forth the idea.

It’s only a matter of time until they do.

Taylor slapped her palms on the table. “I cannot believe I forgot to tell you both this. The friend who sent me out on that date with Craig? She tried setting me up with another rando for this weekend!”

“And you didn’t punch her in the throat? How civil of you,” London said.

“I told her no more blind dates. Actually, no more dates. Period. At least for the foreseeable future. I have a business I’m trying to get off the ground. The video going viral gave me a boost, but the likelihood that any of those people will become long-term clients is slim. Once the ‘celebrity’ wears off,” she said, making air quotes, “I’ll be back to the client hunt.”

“Or they will become long-term and you’ll have so many clients you won’t know how to manage them all.”

“I like your version better.” Taylor made pistol fingers at Samiah. “Either way, I need to focus on work.”

“And I’m the opposite,” London said. “I’ve spent too much time focused on my career and not enough on me. And when I say me, I mean me.” She pointed at her chest. “It’s not that I’m anti getting-a-man, but I’m tired of taking what little extra time I have and putting it into someone who turns out not to be worth the effort.”

“I hear you,” Samiah said.