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I read over the words I the lyrics with the notes evokes an uncertain, wanting ache into take a lot of practice," she says "Are you up for spending that much time with me over the next couple of weeks?"

"Yes," I say

At thisI want more

Chapter forty-two

DAPHNE

The next couple of weeks are prettyin on a second round of auditions to help Joe and Mr Morgan select the other principal roles for the spring ood word for Lexie for the role for Persephone, not only because of the truce we made, but because she actually deserves the part--and rehearsing with Haden every afternoon and lunch break, I a is already upon us

Thankfully, Joe decides not to cook Thanksgiving dinner himself, and instead, we join a couple of his bandmates for a private party at Bobby Rox’s restaurant The food is divine, and to my surprise, I enjoy the cohter, and Chris Trip, the band’s bassist, has everyone in stitches over his ier

When Joe passes up the Thanksgiving chane and opts for the cranberry juice mixed with Sprite concoction that I order for myself from the kitchen, Bobby slaps Joe on the back and says, "You’ve been a good influence on our ole boy here, Daphne!"

"Hear, hear!" agrees Chris "I thought Joe could write his way out of a bottle of Jack Daniel’s, but he’s even better sober Those songs he’s writing for your school play are aood, aren’t they?" I say The ones I’ve practiced with Tobin have blown me away

Joe smiles down at his plate

"Yeah," Bobby says "I haven’t seen that level of passion in your work since Shadow of a Star"

"The band is thinking of recording an albus from the musical," Chris says "Oi, I know, Daphne should record one of the tracks with us!"

"Brilliant!" Joe says

"What?" I say, al my fizzy cranberry juice

"I love it," Bobby says "Joe showed us a couple of recordings heyour class rehearsals the other day You’re fantastic"

I blush, pressing ether

"What do you say, Daphne?" Joe asks "At least one song You can’t say no to an opportunity like that"

"Won’t your er have a cow?" I ask

"Leave that to us," Chris says, flexing his -arm hiing a song on a real live rock albuo platinum? The idea both thrills me and terrifies me at the same time But does Joe really want me on his album, or is this just another one of those promises he uses to , I’d say yes in a heartbeat