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“Don’t be nervous. Our patrons are pretty nice.” Nina grabs onto the pole and flips herself upside down with her legs spread. “And if you shake it right up here, the private dances will make you a small fortune.” She begins shaking her ass while slowly lowering herself down to the floor.

My eyes are wide with… envy?

Not sure if it’s degrading or talented. Probably a bit of both.

I’m so unlike the two voluptuous women, that I feel like a different species entirely. All of this distraction is helping though. I forgot for a second that I was on stage, with at least thirty sets of eyes on me from all angles.

Channel Misty.

Okay… haven’t twerked in a while, but my friends always said my 23andMe results would be part Caribbean. Hold onto that confidence, Misty.

Oh God.

Oh God.

Trino’s taking a seat in the middle section with a wide grin on his face.

Dad always said to picture the crowd naked. Maybe in this case, it’ll help.

I jump high on the pole, doing my best to remember the basic moves our Saint Lucia instructor taught us. On my first rotation, I glimpse Britta whispering something to Ruby, then wrap one leg around the pole and let go of one hand, giving full view of my toned backside. I’m more cheerleader than stripper right now. I can feel it in my non-sexiness.

When Iclackdown to the floor, the pole-burn is already rashing up my leg, but I bite back the pain and do a little twerk for Trino. Keeping my eyes half closed to communicate ‘bitch’ will hopefully keep these guys interested. Not because I want the attention. But I have to fit in to survive, right?

Another glance at Nina shows her using the pole to slowly grind on.Yes! I can do that!

I start to rub my legs as I back into mine – wishing now that I brought sanitizer and paper towels before giving it some love. Teasing my hands up my thighs while holding this RBF is my only move right now.

Trino’s eyes are following me. I don’t know if it’s charity points or what, but that same feral look when we were being naughty returns. It’s a nice injection of confidence. But when I turn to show my backside, and glimpse Nina and Arora taking off their tops, I freak.

No! I can’t do that!

Stay cool, Capri—I mean,Misty.

You arenottaking your tits out for everyone to see.No way.

Arora starts climbing her pole again, flips upside down, andclacksher heels together, splaying her legs wide and straight – how is she getting her ass to jiggle like that? – sliding all the way to the floor. Suddenly my seductive slow dance doesn’t seem to be cutting it. Her big breasts are out and rolling everywhere.

Okay, I know. I’llteasethat I’m taking off my top.

With a whip of my head and stomp of my foot, I pull attention again while playing with the strings of my outfit. Puckering my lips while holding my breasts teases Trino. He still seems into it, but in the back of my head, the Plastics are having a field day with my lacking performance. I know it.

When I grab the pole to go for another spin, I’m internally begging the announcer to call us off stage. How long is this freakin’ song? Wait, the song changed twice since I started!

I spin all the way to the floor this time, popping my ass up and down like I did once in the hotel on that same bachelorette party.Cannot believe I’m doing this.

As I emulate a sexual version of the cat-cow yoga pose, I spin to see another woman strutting up to Trino.Oh, no you don’t, bitch!She frames his face, which makes me gasp.

Are you serious?

His head turns and my character breaks. I want to crawl to the end of the stage and lunge at her.

The heck is coming over me?

Push her away, Trino.My jaw clenches as she whispers something in his ear.

He wouldn’t make me look like a fool. He wouldn’t get up and leave me hanging while introducing me as his girl. He wouldn’t—

I gasp again when he gets up to follow her toward the private area.