“Start-of-the-night selfie,” Jenna chirps. We pose so she can take a picture.
We head downstairs and jump into the car. About thirty minutes later we’re standing on the longest line I’ve ever seen as we wait to get into Club Exposito. The thumping music is so loud, no one really needs to go inside to dance. Of course, there aren’t any drinks out here, but at least the music makes the wait less boring.
“Annie, the cover is on me,” Jenna says.
“No, no, no. I don’t want you paying. Look how pretty you both made me tonight. I’m paying the cover for both of you,” I say.
They both stare at me, hips cocked and lips puckered. But they know better than to argue with me. I’ll win. So, with a dismissive wave of their hands, they turn and hand their IDs to the bouncer who allows us to enter. I gulp as I offer the cash to the cashier just inside the door—it’s a lot of money.
“For a doll like you? Free tonight,” the man drawls. He’s got enough metal piercings in his face to be a danger to any magnets in the vicinity. He gives me a yellowed grin. I force a smile and we head inside before he changes his mind.
Once fully indoors, we head to the main area. Inside the club, it’s like everyone is dancing under the northern lights. Smoke from dry ice swirls amongst an array of blue, green, pink, and gold lights. Bodies are fused together, moving to the beat of the music.
“Come on, let’s dance.” Jenna grabs my wrist and drags me onto the dance floor. “Loosen up, Annie.”
Dancing isn’t my thing. I’m stiff, awkward, and nervous as all get-out. I feel like a flamingo on roller skates. I’m envious of how simple and beautiful it is as Jenna rolls her hips to the music.
“Motion is lotion, baby,” Wendy quips. We all laugh at her ridiculousness, but she’s right. As I relax and let myself groove, I can feel the anxiety fading away.
The cavernous room is filled wall-to-wall with people dancing to the club music. It seems like there’s no room for anyone else, but somehow, when Jenna, Wendy, and I hit it, the space magically clears. Of course, my roommates sandwich me, forcing me to dance with them, and encouraging the creepiest of guys to stare at us. But it doesn’t matter.
We laugh and start dancing, twisting, turning, holding hands as we change sides. We’re all sporting ear-to-ear grins, we look like idiots, and we don’t care. Inside, we’re just happy; happy, and more alive than I’ve felt in a long time. I have that feeling of knowing that I’ll never forget this exact moment, that ten years from now, I’ll still remember tonight as one single, perfect moment. Music, friends, not a care in the world.
The song changes and the feeling slips away, but I’m still buzzing and smiling. For once, I’m glad I let them drag me out of the house. “Let’s get some drinks,” Wendy says and heads toward the bar.
Jenna and I follow behind, elbows out to the sides to help push people out of the way. The three of us weasel into a clearing against the mahogany bar. Jenna calls over the bartender and orders a couple of whiskey sours.
“Having fun?” Jenna asks, shooting me a wide smile.
“Actually, I am.” I wink at her and chuckle.
The three of us clink our glasses and huddle together. A trio of guys dressed in suit pants and button-down shirts with slicked-back hair walks over. They are very handsome, and they definitely know it. As they approach, they immediately split up, one coming up to each of us.
The tallest of the three men leans into me, his lips gently brushing my ear. “And what’s your name?” His voice is a smooth baritone that slices right through the loud music like a hot knife through butter.
“Annie,” I say and bite my lower lip as I shrink in on myself.
“Nice to meet you, Annie.” The man pulls his head back and extends his hand.
I shake his hand and look back over to Jenna and Wendy. They’re deep in conversation already. My man steps closer and his fingers gently grasp my elbow. “Annie, why don’t you have a shot with me?”
“Um, okay.”
The man walks over to the bar and waves down the bartender. Moments later, he’s back with shot glasses for him and me. I take it from his hand. His fingertip brushes my palm as he passes it over. It feels like a spark leaps from him to me. “Cheers, Annie.” He winks. It’s the smoothest wink I’ve ever seen in my life. Somehow, it manages not to be corny or silly at all—just smooth, effortless, seductive. I almost shiver, despite the heat in the room.
I put the glass to my lips and throw back my head, forcing the acrid liquid down my throat. Repulsive is a massive understatement. I cringe and wrinkle my nose. The man smiles as I hold down a gag. I hand him back my glass.
“Another,” he says firmly.
Before I can protest, he’s already handing another glass over to me. I see the girls to my right throwing back drinks with abandon. Against my better judgment, I drink another.
“Another.”
“Really, I can’t,” I cough, but again, he’s too fast for me. My head is starting to spin a little, getting close to out of control. I try to refuse.
“Take it, Annie!” Jenna calls over. I see her peek around the bulk of the man talking to her and give me a broad smile and a thumbs-up. I groan.
“One more, but that’s it,” I warn
