3 days later

The sun had been out for hours and so had they.

Maya was standing in the middle of H Street. Go-go music rattled the speakers three blocks away. Leyla had disappeared into a vendor tent. Aisha was taking photos of everything. Salma was somewhere nearby, probably.

“MAYA!”

She turned. Sean was pushing through the crowd with Nima and Ken. All three holding beers. All three sunburned.

“No way!” Maya shouted over the music.

“Are you by yourself?” Sean shouted back.

“The girls are around here somewhere.” She waved vaguely.

Sean reached her. Close. Sunscreen and beer. His cheeks were pink from the heat.

“Hi.” He smiled.

“Hi.”

“You look—”

“Hot?” Maya clipped her hair up. “Yes. It’s ninety degrees.”

“That’s not what I was going to say.”

“What were you going to say?”

He opened his mouth—

“MAYA!” Ken arrived with open arms and scooped her into a hug. “Happy H Street Festival!”

She laughed, hugging him back. “Happy H Street Festival!”

Over Ken’s shoulder, she tried to read Sean’s expression. It was gone.

Nima hung back, nodding once in her direction. Still deciding about her, apparently.

Sean looked past the group and laughed. “Found them.”

Across the street, Leyla, Salma, and some guy were doing a dance. A poorly choreographed dance. Aisha was filming it. Like a proud stage mom.

“Bravo!” Sean called out as they all walked up to them, clapping. Ken joined, loud and enthusiastic. Nima managed a golf clap. Slow. Sarcastic.

Maya braced herself.

Leyla spun around, surprised. “Shayan! You’re here!” She locked eyes with Maya. Searching.

Maya kept her face neutral. Gave her nothing.

Leyla hugged Sean. Ken hugged everyone who would let him. Nima stood slightly apart, arms crossed, watching.

Salma was standing next to the stranger. Standing close.

“This is Gabriel.” Salma said. Voice slightly higher than usual. “He was brave enough to learn our dance. On the spot.”

“Brave or stupid.” Gabriel smiled. “The jury’s still out.”

Salma laughed. Too loud.

Leyla caught Maya’s eye. Mouthed: Finally.

Maya suppressed a grin.

19 minutes later

The group had drifted toward a shaded corner by a closed-off parking lot. Someone had set up lawn chairs. Someone else had acquired more drinks.

Maya was standing with her back against a chain-link fence, watching Sean argue with Nima about something.

Aisha appeared at her elbow. “You good?”

“I’m great.” Maya responded. A little too quickly.

“You’re staring.” Aisha turned to face her.

“I’m not staring. I’m observing.”

“You’re observing very intensely.”

Maya took a long sip of her drink. “We work together. I’m allowed to observe my business partner.”

“Mmhmm.” Aisha rolled her eyes.

“Don’t ‘mmhmm’ me.”

“I didn’t say anything.” Aisha was fighting a smile. “How’s the work going, by the way? The… what’s it called?”

“NextBlock.” Maya answered.

“NextBlock. How’s it going?”

“Good. We contracted some designers and developers. Website’s up.”

“Wow. Suddenly so real.”

“It was always real.”

“But this is fast.” Aisha looked at her. “You talked about this for a year. Now suddenly you have a team and you’ve quit your job?”

“That was always the plan. And AI changed everything. I can move way faster now.”

“Is that all it is?”

Maya didn’t answer.

“As long as you’re not rushing into anything.” Aisha tried to get eye contact from Maya.

“I’m fine Aisha. Really.” Maya still wasn’t meeting her eyes. Hers were glued to Sean. “None of this feels like a lot.”

“No? What does it feel like?”

Aisha followed Maya’s gaze. Sean was laughing at something Ken said. He pushed his hair back from his face. Glanced over at Maya.

Maya looked away, back to Aisha.

“It feels…rational.” Maya let out a big sigh. “I’m good, girl. Let’s go find some water.”

“Let’s go.” Aisha shrugged.

25 minutes later

Sean was suddenly holding bags of food. Empanadas from somewhere. Pupusas from somewhere else. A pile of napkins that was already losing to the wind.

The group had claimed a curb. Nine people sprawled out in the shade. Gabriel had somehow ended up next to Salma again.

Maya watched Salma laugh at something he said. Watched her tuck her hair behind her ear.

Leyla appeared beside Maya. “They’re gonna get married.”

“We’re not giving her away that easily.” Maya objected. “What do we even know about him?”

“He’s a recent transplant. Bay Area. Doesn’t seem to have a job but has still been buying her drinks.” Leyla shared the information like a private investigator.

“Bet he’s in tech.” Maya raised her eyebrows.

“Is that a good or bad thing?” Leyla asked.

Maya shrugged.

Leyla clutched at her heart. “She deserves some fun.”

Maya nodded. Glanced across the group. Sean was watching her. She looked away when she caught him. She turned back to Leyla.

Leyla grinned. “So do you.”

50 minutes later

Sean found her by the empanadas.

“You’re hiding.”

“I’m eating.” Maya took another bite of flaky goodness.

“Clever way to do both.”

She handed him one. He took it. Stood next to her.

Close enough that their hips almost touched. But not quite.

“Nima’s warming up to you.” He said.

“Is he?”

“He asked me if you were always this intense.”

“What did you say?”

“I said it’s one of your best qualities.”

Maya snorted. “Thanks.”

“He’s just…protective.”

Maya’s neck snapped. “Of what?”

“Nothing.” Sean winced. “It’s just how he is.”

“Does he think NextBlock is a bad idea?” Maya took a step back.

“It’s not like that. Honestly, he doesn’t even understand it enough to have an opinion.” Sean took a deep sigh. He was dragging out each word. “It’s just…Nima saw me after Vegas. Those two weeks, before-”

“Oh,” Maya stood there. Looking at the ground.

“Give it time. He will love you. Just like I—” Sean froze. “Just give him time.”

She repeated it back, quiet. “Give it time.”

They ate in silence. The music from the main stage shifted. Something slower. Go-go giving way to R&B.

“We should tell them.” Maya said.

“Tell them what?” Sean asked.

“About Billboard. They keep asking questions and we keep deflecting.”

“They’re drunk.” Sean grabbed Maya’s trash and she followed him to throw it away.

“So are we.” Maya walked in front of him, playfully blocking his path.

“I’m not drunk.” Sean teased. “I’m perfectly sober. Watch.” Sean lifted one of his legs and touched his nose with his index finger.

His leg slipped down and he caught himself right before falling.

Maya laughed.

“Okay, I’m too drunk.” He admitted. “You’ll have to do the pitch?”

“Nope.” Maya shook her head. “You’re the marketing side. I’m the tech.”

“I want you to do it.” He said. “You’re better at it.”

“I’m not—”

“Maya.” His voice dropped. “This is your idea. Let them first hear it with your voice. With your passion. You light up when you talk about it. It’s inspiring.” He paused. “You light up when you talk about anything, actually.”

She felt her face get hot. Not from the sun.

“That’s…” She stopped. Tried again. “You can’t just say things like that.”

“Why not?”

“Because.” She didn’t have an answer. She reached for some water.

“Because,” she repeated. And nothing more.

He was smiling now.

“Fine.” She pushed off from the fence. “Let’s play shark tank with some drunk millennials.”

“An important target market.”

She rolled her eyes.

And she was grinning cheek to cheek.

15 minutes later

The group moved again. A rooftop bar now, overlooking the festival. The sun was starting to set. Golden hour.

Maya was still laughing when they caught up to the group.

Ken asked what was so funny.

“Nothing,” she said, and caught Sean’s eye and lost it again.

Ken was on his sixth beer and asking Gabriel about his job. Very loudly.

“SO WHAT DO YOU DO?”

“I was at Goldman.” Gabriel said. “Investment banking. Their San Francisco office.”

“Oh, we got a finance bro to twerk!” Leyla elbowed Salma. “For free!”

“I was a finance bro.” Gabriel smiled at Salma. “Now I’m funemployed.”

“Laid off?” Nima asked.

“No, actually I stepped away. Needed some time off.” Gabriel answered.

“Wow.” Nima nodded. “That sounds nice.”

“The hours were killing me. My sister’s out here. I have good savings. Investments. I can afford to reset.” Gabriel met Salma’s eyes. “I’m looking forward to it.”

“Smart.” Ken said. “That’s awesome you can afford to.”

“I did okay there.”

Maya caught Sean’s eye across the table.

The Goldman guy. Interesting.

Now? He mouthed.

She was tipsy enough to say yes.

Now. She nodded.

“Mr. Gabriel.” Maya leaned forward. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“We’re building an app. Starting a company. Sean and me.” She gestured vaguely between them. “I’m curious what someone like you would think.”

Gabriel’s posture shifted. “What kind of company?”

“Our first product is Billboard.” Maya said. “People rent a digital billboard to promote something. We match them with viewers who set their price to watch it.”

“Match? Like a dating app?” Gabriel asked.

She looked at Sean. He was looking at Gabriel. His eyes were widened. He had sat up.

“Yes. Actually, just like a dating app.” Sean leaned forward. “Instead of setting an age and location range, you set your price.” He waved to hand it back to Maya.

“After you’re paid, explore whatever you just discovered.” Maya straightened herself up. “A new podcast. A show. An album. A creator.”

“But people get paid how?” Gabriel had more questions. “Paid what?”

“Bitcoin.” Maya said. “For the instant micro-payments.”

“Ah.” Gabriel nodded.

“Here we go,” Ken grinned and sat back with his beer. “Bitcoin solves everything, right?”

“Not everything.” Maya smiled. “But at least how to move money.”

Aisha, Salma, and Leyla started posing for a selfie. Nima was texting on his phone.

Gabriel leaned in. “Walk me through your business model.”

Sean couldn’t hide his smile.

“Let’s say you want to pay out $100 in BTC to promote…” Maya looked around.

“…Promote Nima!” Ken offered. “His company instagram. It has the best car detailing tips.”

Nima looked up.

“Yes!” Maya smiled over at Nima. “Nima could buy a billboard. Post one of his reels. Drive people to his website, or even his other social accounts to go see more content.”

“How many people would see it?” Nima lifted his head.

“That’s up to you. And the market.” Maya turned her body to face his. “Say you’ll pay a quarter a view.”

Nima nodded.

“You could get 400 people. That’s completed views. Not impressions.”

Nima was considering it.

“But you could also get matched with people who set a price for 1 cent.” Maya added.

Gabriel did the math in his head. “So maybe 1000 people see it?”

“Maybe!” Maya threw her hands in the air. “The market decides. But whatever the budget, we just charge a 20 percent service fee.”

“On every match?” Gabriel asked, skeptical.

“No.” Maya laughed.

“Why not?” Gabriel grinned. “It’s not a bad rate.”

“We don’t take a cut from the payout. Never from the people.” Maya explained. “We get paid upfront. When Nima buys the billboard.”

“So the payout—” Gabriel was thinking.

“Is between him and the market. Nima can adjust anytime based on what’s working.”

“We can’t manipulate it even if we wanted to.” Sean took a swig of his drink.

Leyla blinked. “What does that mean?”

Maya winced. Sean nodded at her and took the question.

“Our matching system is just taking in data you give it.” Sean tried to talk slowly. “Nima would put in his 25 cent bid. His billboard runs until his budget runs out. He can change his bid but we never could.”

Gabriel was thinking. “So…theoretically, you’ll have revenue… day one?”

“If it works.” Sean smiled. “From day one.”

“It will work.” Maya corrected him.

Gabriel sat back. “It should work.”

Maya and Sean locked eyes.

“How far along are you guys?” Gabriel pulled out his phone. “Do you have a demo? Beta testing?”

“Soon.” Sean said.

“We have the roadmap up on our site.” Maya grabbed Gabriel’s phone to pull it up for him.

“And she just quit her job.” Leyla announced. Loudly.

Gabriel blinked. “You quit your job for this?”

“Last week.” Maya handed back his phone.

“Holy shit.” Gabriel slowly nodded. “You’re all in.”

“We both are.” Maya looked back at Leyla.

“UNEMPLOYED all in.” Leyla clarified. “She has no income. No plan B. She’s just—”

“Leyla.” Salma cut her off.

“But the stakes are different for you. You’re risking a lot.”

“Not at all.” Maya rolled her eyes. “The stakes are better now. Staying in my job wasn’t an option.” She waved her hand. Dismissed Leyla.

“We are all very proud and excited for you, Maya.” Salma stepped between the two. “And we know you’ve thought this through.”

Leyla opened her mouth. Closed it.

“It’s very brave.” Gabriel said. “What Maya is doing. Most people I know talk about doing something like this. They never actually do it.”

“Is it smart though?” Nima asked. “Who could actually take on the tech giants?”

“This is a better pitch than I’ve heard in a long time.” Gabriel looked at Maya and Sean, then back to Nima. “Most teams just focus on growth. Raise money, burn through it, figure out revenue later.” He shrugged. “Your friends are smart.”

35 minutes later

The sun was gone now. The festival was winding down. Someone had suggested walking to Rumi’s for food. Someone else had seconded.

The group started gathering their things. Ken and Gabriel were deep in conversation. Nima was showing his videos to Salma and Leyla. Aisha was taking pictures of the sunset.

Maya drifted to the edge of the rooftop. Looking out at the city. The lights coming on.

Sean appeared beside her. Close. Their arms almost touching.

“That went well.” He said.

“It did.” Maya said without moving her gaze from the city.

“Gabriel’s interested.”

“People who understand how things work will get it.”

“Why do you sound sad about it?”

“I am happy.” Maya took a deep breath. “But it’s frustrating. That everyone can’t see it.”

“We just don’t have their attention yet.” Sean moved to stand in front of her.

She moved to also face him.

“Some people like ideas. But most people want the experience.” Sean waved his hands up like he was opening a broadway show.

He got Maya to chuckle.

“We’ll have an app in their hands soon.” Sean said.

“Soon?” Maya winced.

“Eventually?” Sean countered. “Whenever it’s ready. The world will see it.”

Maya gave a small smile. Took another deep breath. She let her eyes meet his. Let herself indulge. Spent a moment taking him in. “But you Sean… you understood.”

Sean opened his mouth. Hesitated. Closed his mouth.

“You liked my idea. Right from the start.” Her eyes were looking up as his. Almost sparkling.

He let himself get lost in them.

Across the rooftop, Salma elbowed Leyla. Nodded toward Maya and Sean.

Leyla looked. Raised her eyebrows.

Salma shook her head. Don’t.

Maya’s heart was pounding.

Sean finally spoke. “Well,” he stopped to look at her lips. “I have really great taste.”

She didn’t breathe. He didn’t move. The city hummed below them.

Her hand was on the ledge. So was his. The space between their fingers somehow getting smaller.

Maya exhaled.

Someone’s phone buzzed. A few feet away, Nima checked his. “Rumi’s?” He looked up. “We have a reservation?”

Sean and Maya’s attention snapped out of focus.

Sean turned to Nima. “Yeah. I uh. I booked us the table.”

“Of course he did.” Maya said smiling to herself.

30 minutes later

The table was loud. Two bottles of wine in. Bread baskets demolished.

Ken had somehow ended up between Aisha and Salma. Gabriel rested his hand on the back of her chair.

Maya looked across the table. Sean was laughing at something Nima said.

The entrees arrived. Lamb. Chicken. Rice with tahdig that made Leyla gasp and Aisha immediately start taking photos.

“Okay but wait.” Aisha pointed her fork at Maya. “What’s the plan for money? Now that you don’t work? Business loan?”

“Bitcoin.” Maya smiled.

Aisha groaned. “What does that even mean?”

“I’ve been buying Bitcoin.” Maya reached for the bread. “For years. Every paycheck. Moved my retirement into it five years ago.”

The table went quiet.

Aisha set down her fork. “So you’re just… set? You have enough money?”

“Not set. But I’m not desperate.” Maya looked at Gabriel. “There’s a difference. Like you, I assume?”

“It’s easier to figure out your next move,” Gabriel’s hand found Salma’s arm. “When your mind isn’t occupied working for someone else all day.”

“But Bitcoin’s price is so volatile.” Nima leaned forward. “If it drops tomorrow—”

“I only spend what I need. The rest stays in cold storage.” Maya shrugged.

“But your retirement? All your eggs in one basket?” He shook his head. “Everyone knows you have to diversify.”

Maya smiled. “Are you diversified? Or is all your wealth in the dollar?”

“The dollar is the strongest currency in the world. It’s backed by gold.” Nima quickly retorted. “What’s Bitcoin backed by?”

“Math.” Maya took a sip of wine. “And the dollar hasn’t been pegged to gold since the 70s.”

Ken looked up. “Really?”

Maya nodded. “There will only ever be 21 million bitcoin. The dollar?” She shrugged. “They just print more.”

“We printed more money during COVID than ever before in this country.” Sean sat up. “That’s why everything costs twice what it used to.”

“Seriously?” Leyla leaned forward.

“In just a few years.” Sean nodded.

Nima looked at him. “You too? With the Bitcoin?”

“Me too.” Sean grinned. “Every paycheck.”

“So you both just… wait?” Nima looked skeptical.

Sean caught Maya’s eye across the table. Held it. “The best things take time.”

She looked away first. “Anyway.” She reached for her wine. “I just picked different eggs. That’s all.”

“Sean.” Gabriel leaned back, wine glass in hand. “You’re government, right? How’s that going?”

Sean let out a breath. “It’s a nightmare.”

The table got quieter.

“People are getting fired by email. Mass emails. No warning.” Sean picked up his wine. “My friend showed up to work last week and his badge didn’t work. That’s how he found out. Standing at the door. Card wouldn’t scan.”

“Jesus.” Ken said.

“They’re doing it on purpose.” Sean said. “It’s not just cuts. They want to humiliate us.”

Leyla’s eyes went wide. She looked at Maya.

Maya was watching Salma laugh at something Gabriel whispered.

“My cousin got the email last month.” Nima said. “Twenty-two years. Gone.”

“My aunt too.” Leyla added. “She cried for three days.”

“It’s been demoralizing.” Sean said. “Dehumanizing really. Everyone’s waiting for the next round.”

“But you’re still there.” Gabriel said.

“I’m still there.” Sean nodded.

“You weren’t tempted to take the buyout?”

“No. I didn’t even trust it.” Sean said. “Someone has to stay and hold it together.”

“In this economy?” Salma shook her head. “I wouldn’t quit anything.”

“Job market is brutal right now.” Leyla agreed. “My sister has been looking for a job for eight months. Nothing. Thank god you’re okay Shayan.”

Nima looked up from his lamb. “I just can’t believe all these layoffs. It’s been bad for business.”

“Really?” Sean looked up, surprised. “Revenue is down?”

“Of course, Shayan.” Nima sipped his wine. “Everyone is spending less. No one knows what will happen.”

Gabriel set down his glass. “They overhire when things are good. Panic and slash when numbers dip.”

“And the people at the bottom pay for it.” Salma said.

“Hurts the whole local economy.” Aisha added. “No one is buying houses right now. Who can afford it?”

“This is why you have to quit before you get the mass email. Am I right?” Maya leaned over to Gabriel. He raised his glass to her.

Sean looked down at his plate.

The waiter appeared with another bottle. Poured. Disappeared.

“These layoffs aren’t stopping.” Gabriel said, watching the wine settle in his glass. “And they are completely arbitrary.”

“Yeah, they’ve had to hire some people back,” Sean offered. “Cause the cuts were too deep. None of these people in charge know what they’re doing.”

“Private sector has been doing this for years. Government is just using their playbook now.” Leyla said. “I see their contracts. These companies don’t give a shit about their employees.”

“Because they don’t have to.” Maya said. “We beg them for employment. As if it’s the only way to make money.”

“Working for yourself is the best.” Aisha smiled. “Me and David, my husband,” she explained to Gabriel, “we’re in real estate. It can be chaos but at least nobody can fire us.”

“Family business.” Gabriel smiled. “That’s the dream.”

“It is.” Aisha leaned in. “I can’t imagine David working on something I’m not involved in. It keeps us aligned. And connected.”

“That does sound nice.” Nima admitted. “I get exhausted running things by myself. I have seven employees.”

“Seven is a lot.” Aisha said.

“I want them to actually want to work for me.” Nima explained. “I think we have great benefits, lots of time off, bonuses when we do well—”

“You sound like a great boss.” Maya smiled at him.

“I try.” Nima almost blushed.

“I manage nine people under me right now.” Salma thought out loud. “It used to be four but there’s been cuts and they combined teams.”

Gabriel leaned back and smiled. “Sounds like you’re ready to start your own firm.”

“Oh never.” Salma shook her head. “I can’t stand do the admin stuff.”

Maya raised an eyebrow. “But you can stand “temporarily” having almost ten employees for the last two years?”

“I was managing more at Goldman than most small business owners I know.” Gabriel jumped in. “But it took me so long to even think about leaving. Couldn’t even picture it.”

“Couldn’t picture what?” Sean asked.

“Myself. In charge. Of myself.” Gabriel looked at his glass. “When you’ve only ever been someone’s employee…it’s hard to think you can be more.”

Maya was nodding.

“The responsibility sounds impossible. So you just… stay. Keep being the worker bee.” Gabriel finished the rest of his wine.

“Even when you’re the one actually running things.” Maya said quietly.

“Especially then.” Gabriel put down his glass. “Because you’re too busy running their thing to imagine running your own.”

The table was quiet.

Maya looked across at Sean. He was already watching her.

She raised her glass slightly. Just for him.

He raised his back. Held her gaze. Just for them.

Maya let herself feel it.

The wine. The warmth. Their friends getting along.

She couldn’t remember the last time so had been so content.