The minute our eyes met, Jake was appearing with a more determined and eager smile on his face than I'd ever seen on him before.

"You are going to love me, my dear! I've got some fantastic news that you'll want to hear and have a huge fit over when I'm done! And to make it even better–" He started to say, entering fully in—but giving Levi the first glance who was leaning against the table casually. Suddenly however, he then stopped uttering anything else and soon started to stare at him from top to bottom for a moment. Oh no, did he already know something was up?! "Well, I hope I didn't interrupt you folks day."

What?! He couldn't. How would he?! What would I even say now?!

"Actually you didn't. Me and Ivy here were just reviewing a few things. Ya know, as partners of course." Levi answered, shrugging so effortlessly.

"Oh, of course..." Jake soon then let out kindly, spinning around toward me still in such a peppy mood. Whew, that was a close one.

But a small part of me at the same time was still just slightly confused. Why was Levi being so quick to deny? It ain't like he had anything to lose on his end.

"So! What were ya saying?" I said, wanting him to just continue on and not look into it further.

"Ah yes! Fantastic news! I'm telling you, with a face like yours and a voice that, you are about to put everyone on the map by being so rich and famous. I've hit the jackpot, doll!"

"The doll's name is Ivy..." Levi then added on, putting one hand onto his hip.

Oh no. Not these two again.

"Right! That's what I meant..." Jake shyly spoke, shrugging. "Ivy. Look, the point is...we finally did it!" He happily professed.

My jaw dropped and my eyes widened to the point where it could nearly fall out.

"We did it? D-d-did what?" I asked just to be clear.

"Everything Miss Hart! Just like I promised you this whole time! It's all happening, thanks to me! Get this, after I spoke with my bosses and they proceeded to speak with theirs, I made certain to make sure they would give you at least a fighting chance to prove yourself as a real singer!"

"Honestly?!" I asked, feeling my head starting to become dizzy.

"Honest to God, my dear! Now it wasn't easy convincing, but I did! See, there I was— staring these guys in their faces and pressuring them to at least let you sing! Just like you always do here at the lounge! But then, when they kept becoming persistent in pushing the idea out of their mind, I stuck to my guns and shot right through their egos and tried to force them to give you just one opportunity to love ya like I do!" He went on, becoming so animated with each move he made—pacing around the room.

Me and Levi continued to listen attentively. "And then?" I now egged him on.

"And then when that didn't work as well, I ended up making them a great deal they couldn't refuse that would make us all happy and proud! Ivy Hart, get your vocals all buttered up real good because next week, Columbia Records wants you to record a full album demo with my assistance!" He finally shouted.

Instantly, my whole body froze and everything around me, aside from Levi became so small and trivial. Any trails or struggles suddenly became just wiped completely gone.

I couldn't believe it. It was happening. I was finally gonna become a famous singer! I was so shocked and practically speechless, wanting to scream.

God, my Daddy would've been so proud for this kind of good news.

I couldn't wait to tell Joy, Jordan, Dale, and Diana. I couldn't wait to somehow tell Mama too! My world was about to change...and it was all gonna be for the better too.

"That's just the bee's knees! Thank ya, thank ya, thank ya Jake! You're a miracle worker!" I found myself just blurting out, rushing up to give him a big hug as he didn't hesitate to embrace me with one back.

Turning to face Levi who still appeared like someone had just broken his favorite cocktail shaker—let alone mix drinks with it, this was the best thing that could happen to us both.

"Levi! Can ya believe it?! He's finally gonna make us big stars—just as he promised!" I jumped onto him, already loving every second of our bodies in contact again.

He slowly then wrapped his arms around me and nodded. "That's what I heard..."

"Whoa, whoa wait a minute Miss Hart, let's not get ahead of ourselves just yet. There's still more to the story." I could hear Jake suddenly confess—sounding almost a bit concerned.

Facing him again, I made a bit of a baffled expression. Anything more would sound amazing I always thought. So why suddenly didn't he look like it was?

"What? What do ya mean?" I now wondered.

Levi smirked a little from the corner of my eye, glancing toward him as well. Staring at us carefully however, Jake sighed and shyly shrugged once more.

"It was a deal with the music producers, I'm afraid—so I had no other option. But the arrangement is still simple. The studio wants to record a demo with you Miss Hart...but only with you."

"What?!" I voiced out, becoming quickly peeved.

I didn't understand why they wouldn't want to pick Levi too? I would've never gotten this far without him.

"Look I'm sorry, but those were the minimal requirements they requested. Believe me, I truly tried to make it the both of you-"

"Which is only logical. Levi deserves to be there with me, Jake. Ya know it! You've heard him yourself! Ya love his talent too! Please!" I now requested.

"Ivy, it's okay. Ya don't have to." Levi now let out softly.

What was he talking about? Of course I did. "No Levi, I won't. We're a team. A partnership! We signed a contract." I pleaded, grabbing his hand.

He couldn't just give up so easily now. We'd come so far.

"Ivy, just trust! It's nothing personal. I can try to put in a good word for him later. But you've got to take into account, the studio doesn't really need a bartender." Jake suggested.

"But he's a musician first! One of the best anyone's ever heard! Just give him a chance! Please!" I begged.

I didn't want to even imagine doing any of this without him. He was my whole world.

Though instead of appearing to be distraught about himself, he suddenly uttered words I didn't think were needed as he still gratefully smiled and nodded toward me— glancing back over to him.

"Mr. Johnson...can ya just give us a moment alone?"

Staring to us closely as I was still trying to process all that was happening, he simply complied and left the room.

"Levi, what are ya doing? Why are ya being so calm about this? Don't ya not want to be seen for who ya really are too?" I now wondered.

"Little doll, of course I do! But look at ya! Ivy, baby you've got an opportunity that no one else could possibly dream of having themselves. Ya have a gift that the world needs to see. For the people you're doing this for...aren't they more important than me? What would ya father want for ya to do? I've already let my parents down. I wouldn't want ya to do the same by not going after what can be yours so easily. Let's just try this out and see what happens. Don't ya at least owe that to yourself?" He held onto my shoulders with one hand, while cupping my chin with the other.

Staring closely to him, I still was on the fence about it all. But before I could even respond any further, he rushed to the door to open it again.

Jake stood tall and stared over to me with a hopeful look in his eyes. "So...what do you say?"

"She'll do it, sir. Just...make sure she becomes the star she deserves to be." Levi answered for me.

Happily clapping his fingers, Jake smiled widely while I stood speechless. "Well I haven't let ya down yet! So, I'll take my chances."

Levi proudly sighed, as I soon began sensing an eerie feeling in my chest that I didn't know why or where it even came from.

But hey, at least they finally agreed on something as a team.

However deep within me...why did it suddenly feel like the wrong thing?

🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶

A tough decision to make for sure for Miss Ivy! What do ya think will happen next?

See ya next time!!  ;)