"I'm telling you Levi, the dress is just wonderful! I can't wait for you to see it!" My fiancé, Heather spoke over the phone, located in the back room of 'The Hollywood Lounge.'

I didn't want to answer her call right now. 

I was already being bugged about everything else. From Shelly demanding more out of me per usual once the last broad couldn't handle the pressure of this line of biz, to a man becoming so pissed that I cut him off after his fourth drink—throwing what was left of the third one, on me and the napkins at her.

Now, I was dealing with some ankle biter at my bar who wouldn't just leave me alone.

Though maybe calling her that wasn't the best choice of words with what was really going on inside of me. After all, she was turning eighteen tomorrow as she made sure to point out. 

But I was way past caring about anything at this point.

Chattering with Heather over wedding plans I could care much less about after her ninth tantrum to me on why the dress was too big, then too small, then too just right that she wanted it to be a bit looser in case she gained more pounds before the big day—or whatever else women these days fussed over, I just wanted to go home to my piano.

At the end of the day however, I really couldn't complain too much about my life.

I had a good girl on my arms according to all my friends, and probably even family—if they cared to talk to me again after I told them I wanted to be a songwriter, instead of following my overbearing father's footsteps in being a lawyer that is. And I had a good job at a very lavish speakeasy.

Though, I still planned on keeping my other passion of writing music hidden. 

It made no matter to me as time went on to showcase it. It hadn't gotten me anywhere good so far, so it was fine with just only me who knew about it. Or at least I thought it was just me.

Apparently the little doll out there thought she could figure me out before I barely knew her name.

"Well I can't wait to see it either! I'm still at work right now though, so is it alright if I give ya a ring later on?" I asked, poking my eyes out in the main room in between each word—hoping my boss didn't notice how often I'd been leaving my post to take numerous calls throughout my shift today from her.

"Don't you want to know about my veil?! It's so gorgeous too! Really Levi!" She then shouted happily.

I nodded, grinning. If she was happy with it, that was all that was needed. "I'm sure it's lovely darlin'. But I really have to go now!" I tried to kindly disconnect.

"Fine. But if you want to know about the guests that will be coming too–" She started to say. But not until I heard the one thing I was trying my best to avoid.

"Levi!" Shelly screamed from the front. Aw crap. I thought I was being so careful. 

She said she was going into her office and enjoying the double shot I made specially for her. I guess the fun had to be over. Not that I was hardly having any.

The place was a complete snoozefest. 

It always has been since I worked here five years ago. Nonetheless, the people still got their liquor and that's all they wanted. What else could be done about that? I'd usually had my best friend Victoria to pass the time with before she got discovered by the big guys. But hey, at least one of us got to live our dreams finally.

Rushing to hang up the phone, I'd just have to explain to Heather later on as to why I cut her off.  To be honest, I was probably gonna be in the dog house for that no matter what I did to explain it.

Heading back out to see the woman herself all decked out in her finest casual attire, the cute young thing was still there too wondrously eyeballing our stage she kept asking about—like she was gonna do something about it herself.

Though I had to admit quite a wild thought that just kept eating me up.

She was certainly an enticing yet sweet skirt to lock eyes with.

From her perfectly flawless dark skin that looked so soft to touch, her long and curly hair pinned back in a half style–unlike the flappers I kept seeing around here with the same coiffure everywhere I looked, and her upturned lips that kept cocking to the side every time I said something out of pocket...she was a sight to see. And sure, she was a feisty one too when it came to me speaking with her—but I kinda liked it.

It was odd really. Every time she appeared so annoyed and innocent, it sparked something in me I didn't even know was there and I had to do it again. But it was just so hard to truly explain.

Though whatever it was, I just had to keep treating her like any other baby face doll I'd known until she went away—or who knows what would come back to bite me in the butt.

"Y-y-yes Shelly?" As if I didn't see her already not subtly staring at the young girl like she was a pure fish out of water, before peering at me with the biggest baffled expression in her eyes.

"Would you like to inform me on who's our new friend here—without a drink in her hand or money on the table? Don't tell me you haven't offered her anything yet." She tried to whisper.

Little did that do, the young woman whose name stuck in my brain like a catchy song, unlike the rest of the ones who came in here trying to talk to me–Ivy Hart, soon turned around to face us both eagerly.

"Oh hi! My name is Ivy!" She eagerly answered, holding out her hand toward her.

Shelly briefly then jumped at her a bit fearful at her high powered energy but still—she shook it anyway. "Pleasure to meet you. Are you here to speak to someone or..."

I could see Ivy was experiencing a slight sense of intimidation but overall more determination. I knew that look. It was all too familiar with me when it came to many things. So, maybe I could offer at least a little assistance.

"This young lady would like to apply for our waitress position. And let me be the first to say yes, she's kinda as rigid as our door." I told her.

Ivy scoffed and glared at me. Hey, I said a little assistance.

It was the only thing I could think of to say to distract me from having a raging and rigid feeling in my nutsack at how rather wildly attractive she was when timid like that...and more so now when displaying a bit of anger again too.

"But if you don't want her, just send her away with a smile." I concluded.

Probably just wanted to get a job here just to invite her friends with all the booze they can drink without having much funds. Though, there were clear and tough rules around here even to make that prohibited.

Shelly then held her hand up for me to zip it, as I quickly followed suit before turning back to her. "So you wanna work here? Sweetheart, you don't look a day over twelve."

Exactly my thoughts. Though twelve was a bit pushing it. More like sixteen at most.

"Well, I'll be eighteen tomorrow." Ivy started off. I chuckled to myself. The more she kept reminding me of that, the more something else electrified and started racing through my bones. "So ya see, it's perfect! Because ya need a new waitress and I need work, ya need a new gal and I happen to be that too, and I will stop talking now so I can catch my breath." She rammed together a little nervously, gasping for air again—holding her hand to her chest.

I urged to give the adorable thing a hug now, just to assure she didn't have to be so afraid. But then again, I shouldn't be wanting to touch anybody but Heather.

Although a woman like Shelly was a pill but there was always a way to work with her when others realized she just meant well, way deep down inside. But I needed to get a grip on reality. I was insured for crying out loud and in a few weeks, hitched. 

Shelly then smirked and shook her head, grabbing her arms and moving the girl off the bar stool—studying her appearance more closely. "My dear child. Do you eat?"

My eyes widened a bit as I stared at my boss, caught off guard at her out of the gate question. Ivy then glared back to her, taking her limbs back—almost losing it.

"Excuse me, do ya mind?! I'm a person, not a piece of fresh bread which ya apparently think I can't afford. Look I know I'm not qualified, and I'm not like everyone else here but let me tell ya, I can be a dang good waitress so if ya think I'm just gonna back down from this, then ya have-"

"The job." Shelly let out, grinning happily.

Quickly me and Ivy both looked at her astonished now. Was she serious?! It was a bit of a challenge enough by not being captivated by her graceful beauty now.

"What?!" Me and Ivy both shouted.

Shelly happily nodded. "Did I stutter? She's got the job. Though according to your outfit, you're surely gonna need a few minor changes to improve your image to fit in here—like those raggedy shoes and this old worn out dress. But other than that...I like you. You got spunk, heart. Exactly what I need."

"Wait, wait, wait. Are you sure about this Shelly? The young skirt doesn't have any experience." I pointed out.

"Yes but neither did you, but look at ya now!" She replied, glancing back to Ivy. "Crazy fella after college thought he was destined to be a gangster, once Al Capone locked eyes with him in a car passing his residence. Lucky for him, the second he accidentally cut himself on a piece of glass and saw a little blood, he decided against it and came in here looking for a job with no experience."

Ivy let out a small giggle herself that was quite infectious, but shame overtook my emotions more than anything.

First of all, I told her that in confidence and yes, I did want to be for a moment—but only after no one wanted to hire me as a songwriter in hard-to-please Hollywoodland, and my parents kicked me out the minute I told them my new wishful plan and had nothing else to fall back on. Second of all, I just didn't like gangsters in general. They were just so big and freaked me out at how cool and collected they always carried themselves, knowing they were looking for their next fatal target.

"Shelly!" I shouted, begging for her to stop talking herself.

She brushed me over with her hands and nodded. "Okay fine. Just give her an apron then, and all my girls get here at 8 A.M. sharp every morning. Especially when we have a lot of early drinkers on our hands. Just don't tell the cops or anyone like them about this place or I'll tell you how I'm gonna bury your body next."

"Wait, 8 A.M.?" She repeated, appearing like she was about to turn pale as she could possibly get. 

What? Was it too early for her boyfriend to join along too?

"Is that a problem?" Shelly wondered, crossing her arms now—back to her good old—well, just old self.

Staring at her and soon to me, Ivy shyly grinned and shook her head. "Not at all."

"Good." Shelly closed out, grabbing another glass of the second drink she usually made me make at the same time as her double shot—heading back into her office.

Once she was gone, it was just me and Ivy again. Just like I didn't want it to be until I got a hold on myself the more I admired her gorgeous big brown eyes.

"So! Levi, huh? Do you have a last name you go by too?" She wondered, leaning against the counter.

Hesitant at first, I nodded and shrugged. "Janson. Levi Janson."

"Well thanks for the unwelcoming welcome then, Mr. Levi Janson." She smiled kindly anyway—still choosing to be nice to me after all I tried to do, before leaving completely.

God, that smile. It was the first time I'd seen it. I liked it a lot too.

Though finding my eyes immorally fixated on checking her out while she walked away, I smiled to myself as well. She'd probably not even last a day after hearing her new timestamp.

Though just in case she did, I couldn't help but to roll off my tongue the only thing I honestly wanted to say right now—once she finally departed.

"Welcome aboard Miss Ivy Hart."

🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶

Chapter three is now completed! Keep in mind, this is still my first draft too so if ya see any grammatical errors, alert me please!

What do we think about Levi? Now we know the real reason he's trying to be a jerk, when he's really not! lol

See ya next time! ;)