Chapter 45

Makenna’s POV.

The neon lights of the Cabana Club flashed in vibrant colors, casting a surreal glow over the long line of eager patrons waiting to get inside. The bass of the music thumped through the walls, promising a night of dancing and revelry. It was a typical Sunday night, but for this club, typical meant crowded and buzzing with energy.

I stood outside, feeling a knot of reluctance in my stomach. Yas, on the other hand, was bouncing on the balls of her feet, practically vibrating with excitement. She had insisted on lending me one of her dresses – a tight, red number that clung to my curves in a way that made me feel very exposed and self-conscious, the deep V-neckline revealing more than I was comfortable with.

“Kenna, come on!” Yas grabbed my hand, pulling me toward the entrance. “This is going to be so much fun. Trust me, you need this.”

I sighed, casting one last doubtful glance at my reflection in the glass door. “I don’t know, Yas. This dress… it’s not really me.”

“Exactly! That’s the point,” she grinned, tugging me inside. “Let loose a little, will you? Just for tonight.”

As we stepped into the club, the pulsating beat of the music washed over us, and I felt an involuntary smile tug at my lips. The dance floor was a sea of moving bodies, the air thick with the scent of perfume, sweat, and the promise of a good time. Yas let out a squeal of delight, pulling me along as she weaved through the crowd.

“Feel the energy, Kenna!” Yas shouted over the music as she turned to me, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

“Alright, alright. Lead the way.” I laughed, her enthusiasm infectious despite my initial hesitation. We made our way to the bar, Yas weaving expertly through the crowd. She leaned over the counter, catching the bartender’s attention.

“Two shots of tequila!” she yelled then turned to me with a mischievous grin. “We’re getting drunk and partying hard tonight, Kenna. No holding back!”

As we waited for the bartender to pour our shots, I took the opportunity to look around. This place held some vivid memories. It was here, in this very club, that I had first met Wolfe. The thought of him sent a pang of longing through me.

I remembered how confused—and really hot— he had looked that night, probably wondering why I was offering sex for an experiment. There had been an instant connection, a spark that I had never felt before. It was also the night I willingly lost my V card to him. A mix of excitement and nerves had filled me as he was taking me to his room in the club.

I sighed, glancing around the rowdy club. Part of me wished Wolfe was here tonight. Maybe then, the numb feeling inside me would dissipate, if only for a little while.

"You’re thinking about him, aren't you?" Yas’s voice cut through my thoughts.

I turned to her, surprised. "What?"

“Wolfe,” she said, raising an eyebrow. “I can see it in your eyes. Don't let it stop you from having fun tonight, Kenna. You deserve to enjoy yourself.”

I bit my lip, considering her words. Yas always knew how to read me, even when I tried to hide my feelings.

“You're right,” I admitted. “It's just hard not to think about him in a place like this. It feels like it happened just yesterday. All those memories…” I could feel my face tingling from the memory of his kiss, his touch. I’ll be needing that drink very soon.

“Good memories, I hope,” Yas said with a wink as the bartender slid the glasses of shots to her. “But tonight is about making new ones. So, let's dance and forget about everything else for a while, okay?”

I giggle at her exuberance. “You’re crazy, Yas.”

“Crazy fun!” she corrected, handing me one of the shots. “To a night we won’t forget.”

“To a night we won’t forget,” I echoed as we clinked our shot glasses and downed the shots, the burn of the alcohol warming me from the inside out. Yas’s excitement was starting to seep into me, loosening the tight grip of my worries. For once, I wanted to forget about everything – the drama with my family, the confusion with Wolfe, all of it.

“Come on, let’s dance!” Yas grabbed my hand again, dragging me toward the dance floor.

I followed her, the loud music pounding in my chest as we joined the throng of dancers. Yas moved with a wild, carefree abandon that I envied, her body swaying to the rhythm as if she were born to do this. I tried to mimic her, my initial stiffness slowly giving way to a more relaxed, fluid movement.

The beat was infectious, and soon I found myself laughing and dancing with Yas, our worries forgotten in the pulsing lights and the thumping bass. She twirled around me, her eyes shining with joy.

We danced for what felt like hours, lost in the beat. My movements felt fluid, my mind blissfully empty of worries. Kenzie, my family, and even Wolfe—they all faded away into the background noise. Here, in this moment, I was just Makenna, a woman having fun and letting go.

“See? Isn’t this amazing?” she yelled over the music, her face flushed with excitement.

I nodded, feeling a genuine smile spread across my face. “You were right. This is exactly what I needed.”

After a while, Yas nudged me, and we returned to the bar, laughing as we downed five more rounds of shots. The alcohol warmed my veins, amplifying the carefree feeling that had taken hold.

At one point, she pulled me close, her eyes twinkling. “You know, Kenna, you should do this more often. Let loose and have fun.”

“It's definitely alcohol. But I'm not doing this if you're not here though. I could get lost in this crowd.” I nodded, the alcohol making me feel bold and carefree—and maybe a bit dizzy. “Maybe I will.”

Yas grinned, hugging me tightly. “That’s the spirit!

She released me, taking another shot then scanned the crowd with a mischievous glint in her eye.

“Now, let’s get back out there and show them how it’s done!” she shouted over the music, grabbing my hand and pulling me back to the dance floor. I let out a whoop of joy, feeling more alive than I had in ages.

Yas’s enthusiasm was a force of nature. She danced with wild abandon, her joy infectious. I found myself laughing, truly laughing, as we moved to the beat.

But as I moved and swayed to the rhythm of the music, I suddenly realized she was no longer beside me. She had disappeared into the crowd, probably off dancing with someone else.

I was alone, but not completely. A stranger stepped up, his body moving in perfect harmony with mine. His hands rested lightly on my hips as we danced, our movements mirroring each other. There was something exhilarating about dancing with a stranger, the anonymity and freedom of it all. He was also a really good dancer, and I found myself enjoying the sensation of our bodies moving together.

The music was loud, the beat driving us on. I felt a smile tugging at my lips, a genuine, carefree smile. I didn't care what Kenzie or my family thought. I wasn't even bothered about what Wolfe would say or do if he saw me here. For the first time in a long time, I just didn't care, and it felt so good.

The stranger leaned in, his breath warm against my ear. And he smelled really good. “You're a great dancer,” he said, his voice barely audible over the music.

“Thanks,” I replied, trying to yell over the music. I was pretty sure he could barely hear me.

We continued dancing, his body grinding against mine sensually, in sync to the music. Somehow, I started fantasizing—it won't hurt to pretend I was dancing with him anyway. There was no need for words; the rhythm spoke for us. The lights, the music, the crowd—it was all a blur of sensations, a perfect escape from reality.

I let go completely, lost in the music. The stranger’s hands were warm on my hips, guiding me effortlessly as I danced in sync to the music. I laughed again, feeling lighter than I had in a long time. Maybe coming to the club wasn’t such a bad idea after all. I should do this more often.

If nothing else, it was a reminder that I could still feel joy, still let go and live in the moment.