Just Say Yes

Chapter Six ~Just A Dance

The next two weeks went by in a blur. Sophia seemed to have put her grudge against Mackenzie behind her, or at least for now. Mackenzie was unsure if she was being sincere or if she just did not want to get sent home. Either way, she didn't mind. It was only Charlie's happiness that mattered to her.

Mackenzie stayed true to her promise, saying yes to everything her heart desired. She went on a tour of the island and hiked to a waterfall that was so beautiful it took her breath away. She walked along the beach every morning and spent her days relaxing by the pool. Tonight was their last night and all the girls wanted to go dancing together.

Mackenzie had never liked going to places like that, mostly because of all the drinking, but Charlie promised to stay by her side the whole night if she wanted. Emily and Marie begged Mackenzie if they could do her hair and Sophia offered to do her make-up since she mostly just glossed her lips and put on some mascara and that was it.

She conceded to let the girls make her over. She didn't necessarily like the idea, but once they started, she realized how nice it was to have someone else brush her hair and make her look pretty. Charlie came into the room holding up a purple halter-top dress. She told Mackenzie to put it on and that it was a gift for when they started their new lives.

"You need at least one good party dress while working in an office!" She reasoned, giving Mackenzie her sweetest smile.

"Oh, Fine! Let me go put it on." Mackenzie grumbled as she headed towards the bathroom to get dressed.

She looked like a movie star. Her make-up was flawless, which was no surprise since Sophia had done the make-up for the theater productions at their school. Her hair was pulled up into a twist but tendrils still hung loosely, framing her face. The dress emphasized her bust making her look slender at the waist and the soft sheer fabric hung loosely around her knees. Mackenzie thought she had never looked more beautiful in her entire life. She was even surprised at how bright her smile was in the mirror.

She stepped out of the bathroom and all the girls stopped talking the moment she walked through the door. She lowered her eyes a little embarrassed by the sudden silence.

"So... how do I look?" She asked a bit timidly.

"You are...stunning." Said Sophia.

"So pretty!" Chimed in Marie

"Yes, gorgeous! I'm so jealous!" Added Emily

Mackenzie smiled softly at them before looking to Charlie who had not said anything yet. There was a look in her eyes that Mackenzie could not explain, but it disappeared quickly and was replaced with the same warm smile she was used to seeing.

"You are going to be turning everyone's heads tonight!" Charlie said before coming to take hold of her arm and lead her to the door.

Mackenzie shook her head, a little scared at the prospect of being the center of attention, but also secretly thrilled. All the same, she only wanted to have a good time tonight with her best friend. Nothing else mattered to her. Tonight she was going to be as free as she possibly could before tomorrow came and reality settled back in.

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Daniel had convinced Patrick to take one night off from work before they had to leave in a few days. He dragged him to a club that the lady at the front desk had told them was the most popular place in town. He really wanted to just get a few drinks in his friend and loosen him up a bit. He had never seen Patrick so wound up before but, he could understand why. Patrick had been working on this security software for years, it was his baby.

He had met Patrick the first year he transferred to UC Davis from West Point. Daniel had been raised in a military family and his father had hoped Daniel would follow in his footsteps, but Daniel had a passion for business and technology. He knew in this day and age that technology that helped those in need and not technology that destroyed would lead to a better future. When he ran into Patrick he knew he had found what he was looking for. Patrick used Daniel's military knowledge to help perfect and create his security software which they both hoped would one day protect the country from any cyber-attacks.

"Seriously, I really need to go work out all the kinks in the algorithm before next week...."

"Patrick, one night will not put us behind schedule. You even told me yourself that you needed some new perspective because you felt like you were missing something. Well, here is a new perspective! A few drinks and maybe a dance with a pretty lady will do you some good." Daniel reasoned while leading him through the door of the club where they were hit by the sight of flashing lights and the sound and smell of people dancing to loud house music.

"I don't dance!" Patrick yelled in order to be heard.

"Well, today is as good as any to start!"

Daniel led Patrick over to the bar and ordered them some beers. The place was not overcrowded but still full enough. It was also still early for most club hoppers. Daniel sat down at a table and Patrick took a seat across from him. He sipped at his beer, looking over at his friend who seemed to be downing his.

"Whoa, slow down buddy. We got all night."

"I'm going to need another one if you are planning to have me ask a lady to dance."

Daniel could not help but laugh at his friend's unease. He stood up and headed toward the bar to get Patrick another beer. He was just heading back to their table when a flash of bright blonde hair caught his eye. He stopped in place and quickly turned to look at her in the middle of the dance floor. Her eyes were closed and her body swayed in perfect sync with the music. Her hair was up but pieces of it were escaping and falling down her bare back. Her dress flowed around her with each move she made. She was mesmerizing to watch.

Then, she opened her eyes and looked directly at him. Their eyes met for the first time and all the air rushed out of his lungs and he could not seem to take another breath. His whole body was on fire but also frozen in place. She had never looked at him in High school, had never even glanced his way because if she had Daniel would have never been able to forget this feeling.

"What's the matter?" Asked Patrick who was now standing beside him.

Mackenzie smiled at him from across the room and then lifted her hand and motioned for him to come to her. Daniel did not say a word, just handed the beer to his friend and into the crowd hoping his friend would understand. Daniel could hardly even speak let alone explain what was going on right now. Did Mackenzie know who he was? Did she recognize him? Or had she just felt that magnetic pull between them like he had?

Once he stood in front of her, she reached up and tugged on his skinny black tie. Pulling him closer before turning around and grinding up against him as she danced. Daniel reached up and placed his hands on her hips. His whole body raged with the awareness that the girl he had ached for as a teenager was now very much a woman and was pressing her body against his. She turned around and placed her hands on his chest, looking up into his eyes.

"Do you remember me?" She said, a little loud in order to be heard over the music.

"How could I forget?" He said shocked that she had remembered him, his heart racing faster in his chest.

She stared back into his eyes for what seemed like forever. The music was blaring around them but they were both hardly moving. Everything seemed to be going in slow motion as she leaned up, her hands sliding up his chest and into the back of his hair as their lips met in a passionate and hard kiss. The whole world faded away until it was only them and the fire that burned between them.