"You'd do that?" Julia asks, a little surprised and a little touched by the offer. She doesn't know if it's something she would or should act on, but she appreciates it even so. Once — a long time ago, though not as much so as it feels — she might have jumped at the opportunity. She lost most of her sense of ambition around the time she lost her husband, though, and whatever she might have gotten back, it's hard to hold onto when she's grieving again now. Besides, it wouldn't be the same, performing without the rest of the guys.

Maybe it's not an option she should disregard, though. She's grateful to have a job, but it's not a very satisfying one, and, well, a push in the right direction was what she needed before. That might well be the case again.

She lets out an exhale that's almost a laugh. "I don't know that I'd be any good alone, but that's awfully nice of you."