I asked one more question today.
That was the entire message.
Willa smiled when she read it.
No reply was necessary.
The following year, Willa stood backstage wearing a navy blazer.
Not literally the same one.
She had purchased three identical versions after the summit.
Her partners teased her.
Willa did not care.
The jacket had become recognizable.
She decided recognition could be useful if attached to the right memory.
Rachel entered the green room.
“Five minutes.”
“Ready.”
Rachel remained by the door.
“There’s someone here.”
“Should I be worried?”
“Keisha Odom.”
Willa looked up.
“She came?”
“Third row.”
Rachel smiled.
“ClearPath officially closed the Series A yesterday.”
“I know.”
“You signed it.”
“I read documents occasionally.”
Rachel laughed.
“She’s nervous.”
“Good.”
“Good?”
“Nervous means she still understands rooms matter.”
Rachel’s expression softened.
“The room looks different this year.”
Willa knew what she meant.
More women.
More Black founders.