"Are ya sure this is absolutely necessary?" Levi questioned chuckling, sitting on one of the barstools after closing hours a couple days later.

After testing out further our new direction for the past two nights to ensure people would keep coming back, they did. Matter fact, it even doubled in sales and crowds the more folks boasted around town about us. 

I'd never been talked about in a positive light before, so it was a bit of an adjustment to get used to...but I loved it.

"Of course! Anything I'll make from performing, I want to split the earnings 50/50. Don't ya trust me?" I asked, setting down the paper I wrote out back at home last night after I put my siblings to bed.

"Well, certainly! Which is why I'm asking. After all you've done including me in our arrangement Ivy, I don't need a contract in case there's a money issue." He explained, becoming fidgety about this type of stuff pushing it away a bit.

I kindly grinned—moved that he's put so much faith in me only knowing me for a short while. But from growing around this stuff all the time, it was just a business deal.

Nothing more or less.

"Ah come on fella, it's not about the money at all! It won't harm ya. I promise! It's really for recognition and opportunity purposes! Whatever attention I may get from all of this—however long it will go, there's no reason or question for ya not to get the same either." I tried to convince.

Smiling smugly, he soon turned it into a sincere one. "Really believe in my work that much?"

I giggled putting my hand on top of his and caressing it gently as he tensed up. "I believe in ya in everything Levi..."

Biting his lip down and eying me in a more intent manner oddly, he finally agreed—taking the pen with his free hand, and pushing the paper closer.

"Little doll, I believe we've just formed the world's first ever integrated musical duo." With his name now signed on the dotted line.

Rochelle from the side of us onstage, then shook her head. "Sorry kid! That whole sentence won't fit on a poster! They charged me by the letter! But tell me how ya feel about me paraphrasing!" She shouted, holding a string to a white folded up sign onto the velvet curtains before pulling it down—flashing both our names in big bold letters!

Turning to glance at Levi, our eyes did nothing but gleam happily at out new beginning.

"Looks mighty fine, doesn't it?" I asked. He nodded still in awe as I started to grab one of his other new songs. "Good! Because I've decided I want to do next-"

Quickly grabbing it back from my grip as I managed to keep hold the corner ends of it, he timidly shook his head next. "Wait, wait, wait! That one is not ready yet."

"Don't be silly, I heard ya finish the melody for it yesterday. Is there another I should do though if ya truly dead set against it?" He shrugged cautiously as I bitterly stared. That meant a no. "Levi!" I sternly let out.

"Ivy!" He defensively uttered. Looks like I had to take matters into my own hands again. So taking a nearby fork, I pry his palms from the paper as he winced fearfully. "Be careful with her! She's my baby!"

I smirked and studied over the whole thing. It was perfect.

God, what was I gonna do with this man?

🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶

Throughout the next few weeks, me and Levi were off to the races. 

From each performance on his new hit song the public started to love so much, we kept having a full house.

Every. Single. Night.

It got to the point where people from the streets were starting to recognize us so much whenever we left the bar, went to the store, and even asked for our autographs. It was like I was in a dream that I didn't want to wake up from.

Over the days to come, Levi got more into the swing of things by accompanying me with piano solos, drum solos, and even sax solos as we just forgot the world and troubles for a moment and cut loose and had fun on the stage—soon generating our energy to the public happily together.

Eventually, Rochelle even began providing our outfits and costume changes that shimmered, shined, and flashed so elegantly designed. 

I was becoming blinded just by admiring each one she presented.

By the end of one of these days, we finally reached our goal for the end of the month-long sales. Me and Levi were standing next to each other in the great room as Rochelle just kept counting more of the clams that just kept coming from the money jar.

"And we have a grand total of...$1,348! Now that's some heavy sugar! Yes!" She gloated, throwing a few dollars up in the air. Hello payday.

Me and Levi jumped up excitedly before doing the one thing that we didn't plan on, but still just came so casually.

Throwing his hands out toward me as I initially assumed we'd high five, we both just lunged forward to each other, wrapping his toned body around me as I quickly hugged back. Putting my small arms compared to his around his torso, our heat only increased between us. 

We were fitting so perfectly like a glove, I didn't want to let go.

Not daring to let go of me either, I wanted to melt right into him as my bones screamed with inner pleasure with every lingering touch, as we began to sway back and forth slowly and for me...it was like nothing else was here but the wonderful and sexy man I'd come to know thus far.

"Alright! Let's keep it going!" Rochelle then yelped not noticing us yet, but putting the funds away still beaming.

We instantly pulled apart, appearing nearly panicked and our faces reddened up like crazy. Flashing shy glances toward the other, I shyly smiled to myself. 

God, I wanted him to touch me again greatly. He must know he has some kind of effect on me.

But noticing my demeanor, he then moved closer—nudging flirtatiously and giving off a bit of a seductive wink unlike the one he had ever done before with only one burning question in my head. 

Why did this man have to be engaged?

🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶

And another chapter down! 

Things are finally looking great for Ivy and Levi! But this is only partly through the story...and there's definitely more to come! ;)

See ya next time!