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Oh, she was there, all right, nervous psychic energy and all. Her fingertips tingled. She bounced on the balls of her feet and crafted a response.

Penny: Funny story. I stopped by Rowen’s video game company this morning and rewrote the narrative for the game he’s working on.

There! That was what happened in a nutshell.

She waited for those tiny dots to appear.

She didn’t have to wait long.

Harper: Hold on a hot second! I thought you were going to give the guy hell for being MIA all week?!?!

Libby: Did he ask for your help?

Charlotte: Penny, what did you do???

Penny swallowed hard. Those were legit questions.

Penny: No, he didn’t ask for my assistance, but he liked what I did. We’ll be working on it more tonight.

Harper: He better pay you more!

Harper: Hold up…he’s already paying you bank.

Libby: Go with it, Penn! Writing is writing! Working on a video game could trigger a story for the contest. When I’m in a rut with yoga, I run. The change in routine and activity leads me back to my passion.

Penny narrowed her gaze. She loved Libby, but her usually head-in-the-clouds friend sounded remarkably grounded.

Penny: When did you get so smart, Libbs?

Libby: Butthole, I’ve always been smart.

Charlotte: Be careful! And know your worth! That’s not a quote from your mom. It’s from me.

Harper: Yes! Know your worth and Char. You need to take that advice too.

Oh crap! What happened with Charlotte?

Penny: Are you okay, Char?

Charlotte: I’m fine. It didn’t work out with that guy.

Harper: Right! Because he didn’t know your worth, girl!

Charlotte: Enough about me. This is about Penn. And I agree with Libby. If doing video game stuff helps with her writing, she should do it.

Harper: I agree.

Harper: AND THEN HAVE ALL THE NERD SEX.

Penny: Why would you type that????

Harper: We saw the way he looked at you outside the restaurant, Penn Fenn.

Penny: He’s very focused. That’s his default mode.

Libby: Yeah, defaulting over you!

Harper: Good one, Libbs!??