Jia dropped her mouth. “Wha-a-at?! This is a stupid plan!”

Jules clapped her hands together also. “No, it’s a super plan, I agree. Tina, can you please make sure Diane is front and center in the audience, too?”

Tina was already pushing through the swinging doors but she threw a thumbs-up sign to Jules in response just before she disappeared.

Everyone else swung into action, humming under their breaths. “We should dance, too,” Rachel was telling Aerin and Rian, who were nodding back. “Aerin is an awesome dancer, so she should be in front …”

Jia sprang from her barstool, pulling at her hair, mouth open. “So no one else here thinks this is a ridiculous plan? No one?”

Jules paused from conferring with Janet. She rubbed Jia’s arm affectionately and gave the flustered blonde a small smile. “No, dear. So, hum a few of these lines for us, would you? I gotta figure out where we should make you come in …”

Ethan burst in again a minute later. “Ok, we’re good to go. In about 5 or so minutes, my pretties!” He handed out several mics that the DJ had given him to distribute amongst the girls.

Five minutes?? That’s all I have to prepare for this … this… embarrassing…public…in front of her…

Jules hugged Jia, reading panic spread in those baby blues. She whispered, “It’s better this way, Jia. Gives you less time to melt-down. Your voice is awesome. You are awesome. All you’ll have to do is sing. Sing to her! No biggie…”

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The crowd looked expectantly in the DJ’s direction as initial chords from the piano signaled a break between the last song and the one coming up. As their dancing slowed, the piano was followed by sweet notes from violins pierced the air, and both instruments were soon joined by an electric piano, electric guitars, and drums. Then the familiar sequence of trumpets blared. The DJ sampled in a repeat of the sequence while nodding in Jules’ direction.

Jules entered stage left, clapping her hands and shuffling her feet, encouraging the crowd to do the same. She pointed excitedly at Diane with a broad smile when her cue came, as the crowd clapped along. You’re just too good to be true … I can’t take my eyes off of you … You’d be like heaven to touch … oh, I wanna hold you so much … At long last love has arrived, and I thank God I’m alive …. You’re just too good to be true …Can’t take my eyes off you!