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Blake looked them over dismissively. “Boring. Next.”
I bit my lip, trying so hard to keep the angry words from coming out. “And for the teens, a circus routine.”
Blake laughed. “That’s been done a million times before.”
I gritted my teeth. “The theme has been used before, but we could make it unique and original. Each girl could have their own character and—“
“Look, Ivy,” Blake interrupted. “Maybe you’re doing okay with these little competitions, but I’m in the industry. Everything now is edgy, sexy. Even for the little ones. They need to embody characters that are more . . . mature.”
I looked desperately at Lisa, who thankfully chimed in this time. “While I understand that’s the way the dance world is heading, we pride ourselves on being a family-friendly studio.”
“Then you won’t get far in the competition world,” Blake huffed, crossing her arms and sitting back in her chair. “Fifties housewives? No one would choose that to win over something Sariah Silver is choreographing.”
“That’s the risk we’re willing to take,” I replied, crossing my arms and sitting back.
Lisa looked between the two of us, deciding what her next move should be. “Let’s go ahead with Ivy’s concepts, but Blake, you work on the choreography. Ivy will be attending all of your rehearsals as well, so we can make sure it fits the studio’s vision, but also has the edgy vibe we hired you for.”
All of her rehearsals?I guess she said she’d be able to pay me now, but still. That was another three hours at the studio, instead of being home with my family.
Blake stared daggers at me. “I don’t want her interrupting my creative process.”
I threw my hands up in the air. “I won’t be there if she doesn’t want me.”
“No!” Lisa exclaimed. “Ivy, we need you to help keep things on track. Blake, we need your industry experience. Please.”
Blake looked between me and Lisa, deciding how strongly she hated me and wanted to cause a pushback. “Fine,” she relented.
I shrugged. “Fine.”
“Good.” Lisa blew out a breath of relief. “Blake, go get set up for your rehearsal. Ivy, I want to talk for one more minute.”
Blake strode out of the room. When she was out of earshot, Lisa ran her fingers through her short, red hair. “I know she gets on your nerves. But we need her. She’s creating a buzz around the studio. I need you to train her to be a better coach.”
I nodded. “I get it. I don’t like it, but I get it.”
“While I can pay you for the time you spend at her rehearsals, it won’t be your full rate.”
Ugh. “I’m not sure, Lisa. I need to still help my family at home, with my dad—“
“I know,” she said. “But at least this way you’re making some money, right? And you’ll be with Katy for her rehearsals now.”
What could I say? It wasn’t fair, or even ethical, for her to ask me to work for less than my agreed rate. But I loved the studio so much, and it wasn’t fair for the girls to lose out just because Blake was . . . Blake.
“Fine.” I stood up.
She exhaled a breath she had been holding in. “Thank you, Ivy. I’ll let you get to rehearsal then.”
“Now?” I checked the clock.
“Blake has rehearsal with the juniors. I need you there.”
My shoulders slumped. I had planned on spending the rest of the evening gardening with my dad, since he couldn’t do it alone. I guessed I could do that with him in the morning instead.
“All right. See you later, Lisa.”
What a disappointing turn of events. As excited as I was for the mysterious donation, it seemed like it was going to be more work for me than I had signed up for.
