about it. I doubt I’ll ever see him again anyway.”
Satisfied there’s nothing more to say, Jerry goes back to smooching with Jessie just as Michael comes over with who I can only assume is Lisa. She has blonde hair like me and deep blue eyes. She’s a couple of inches smaller and a little rounder than me, but she’s pretty. Very pretty.
“Ana, Jessie, this is Lisa.”
I get out of my seat and shake her hand. “We were just talking about you earlier, so your ears must have been burning.”
She smiles, and her eyes sparkle. “I hope they were all nice things?” She looks towards Michael, and he pulls her in for a hug, kissing her lightly on the cheek.
“Of course,” I say, pleased for them both. I pour Michael and Lisa a glass of champagne, and they thank me.
Michael is soon distracted for a moment by James, so he moves away with Lisa. When he turns his head to face me, I give him a thumbs up, bringing a smile to his face before he carries on.
I then turn my attention back to Jessie, who by now has her tongue down Jerry’s throat. She pulls away and looks at me, blushing.
“Ready for a lesson on the pole?” She asks.
“Am I ever,” I clap excitedly like a child.
Grabbing my hand, she leads the way to the steps approaching the stage. The first girl we come to is called Tabatha.
“Come to see how it’s done?” she asks.
We both nod our heads, and surprisingly, Mandy comes to join us.
I gaze at her in surprise. “Mandy, I didn’t think you would come up here.”
“I’m drunk,” she explains with an intoxicated grin.
“Okay, that’ll do it,” I reply, laughing.
We turn our attention back to the pole dancer who starts spinning around the pole so fast, it’s hard to keep track of her. Mandy staggers a bit watching her, and I have to pull her up to stop her from stumbling. “Do you want to go first?” I ask, laughter bubbling out of me.
“Okily dokily.”
Mandy grabs onto the pole and starts swinging. She’s actually pretty good for someone who’s obviously a little inebriated. All the boys below us are cheering, and Mandy starts getting braver and braver. She wiggles her hips to the music while Jessie and I stand there astounded.
“Shit girl, look at you,” Jessie shouts. “I bet you’re a secret tiger in the bedroom.”
She beams back at Jessie. “I have some talents, yes,” she replies in a fit of giggles.
“Tabatha, can you go upside down? I’ve always wanted to learn how to do that,” I ask.
“Sure thing. Watch closely.” She grabs the pole, swinging around a couple of times before hoisting herself up in the air and wrapping her shapely legs around the pole. Her brown hair is dangling as she slides down the pole to the floor.
“Wow. That was amazing. I’m not sure I can do that.” She gets up, motioning for me to take the pole.
“Go on girl,” Jessie urges. “You can do it.”
She winks at me, giving me the courage to go for it. The boys start cheering again, and at first, I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do. I swing around and lift my feet up in the air, landing rather gracefully. Jessie whoops, and Mandy cheers me on. I hold onto the pole suggestively, lowering myself down when I hear Tom shout, “Fuck yeah!”
We all start laughing, and it makes me a little braver, so I decide to try Tabatha’s move. Grabbing the pole, I somehow manage to swing myself upside down and wrap my legs around it. I look towards Jessie from where I’m hanging, and she bends over to give me a thumbs up. As I start to slide down, however, I slip, trying to correct myself.
I land—arse first—in a very undignified lump on the floor. The room erupts in laughter as I try to blow a strand of hair away from my face. I glance up, noticing Jessie laughing so hard that she’s doubled over. “I’m glad you witnessing me breaking my arse is so funny.”
“I’m … I’m…” She tries desperately to talk, but every time she sucks in a breath she starts laughing again. “I’m sorry,” she finally manages.
“Yeah, I bet you are.” I pfft at her, giving her my hand so she can help me up. “At least give me a hand here,” I urge, waving my arm in front of her.
Jessie grabs my hand, hoisting me up from the floor.
“That was so fucking