The Demo We Left in June
Songwriter Zuri Lane owns every master she makes—except the unfinished demo that still binds her to producer Luca Moretti. When a narrow Brightmark rights-reversion offer gives her ten days to finish it or lose it, she agrees on one condition: this time, the credit is hers. Forced into the same studio, the same red record light, the same impossible chemistry, Zuri keeps her guard locked and her access limited. Luca keeps his hands steady on the console and a folder of old evidence he's never had the courage to show anyone. The bridge they finish at midnight proves their creative connection was never the problem—his silence was. When a label promo tries to erase her all over again, Luca has one chance to prove that good intentions mean nothing without visible cost: kill the release, publish the truth, and hand over every right without asking for anything in return. What Zuri chooses next—on the page and off it—is entirely hers. Book one in the Brightmark After Hours series, The Demo We Left in June is an electric, emotionally precise second-chance romance about authorship, accountability, and the kind of love that only becomes possible once the power is finally even. Free sample available.
About the story
Songwriter Zuri Lane owns every master she makes—except the unfinished demo that still binds her to producer Luca Moretti. When a narrow Brightmark rights-reversion offer gives her ten days to finish it or lose it, she agrees on one condition: this time, the credit is hers. Forced into the same studio, the same red record light, the same impossible chemistry, Zuri keeps her guard locked and her access limited. Luca keeps his hands steady on the console and a folder of old evidence he's never had the courage to show anyone. The bridge they finish at midnight proves their creative connection was never the problem—his silence was. When a label promo tries to erase her all over again, Luca has one chance to prove that good intentions mean nothing without visible cost: kill the release, publish the truth, and hand over every right without asking for anything in return. What Zuri chooses next—on the page and off it—is entirely hers. Book one in the Brightmark After Hours series, The Demo We Left in June is an electric, emotionally precise second-chance romance about authorship, accountability, and the kind of love that only becomes possible once the power is finally even.
Plan your listen
By Valentina Everhart. Listed listening length: 92 minutes. Category: Contemporary Romance. Story dynamics: Second Chance / Exes, Workplace / Boss-Employee, Forced Proximity, Good Grovel. Book 1 in Brightmark After Hours.
Try the opening
An opening sample is available for The Demo We Left in June. Hear the narration and pacing before choosing full listening access. The sample introduces the opening; use the book’s content guidance to assess themes throughout the story.