The beat of the music transpired into my bones and I danced to every pound and bass the DJ booth produced.
The alcohol I'd ingested hours ago had since evaporated and I was bordering on sober.
I hadn't wanted to leave the dance floor just yet to steal another shot because I was having the night of my life.
Alia, my best friend and bride-to-be, was popping her body in all sorts of angles and we laughed manically together as we enjoyed the reverie.
"You're gonna be married in three days!" I yell above the music.
Alia grins at me, her crimson lipstick slightly smudged.
"Hell yeah, I am!" She whoops and brushes her brunette locks back.
I was sure my long, raven strands were sweaty and frizzy as well but it didn't matter.
We were out in the city for Alia's bachelorette party and a club rave like this was perfectly on theme.
It was exactly like our college days five years ago when we'd wear heels too tall for us and dresses that would even be too scandalous to wear now at twenty-six years old.
I gazed around and could see our other friends grinding up against some lucky guys and it only added to the fun. One of our friends brushes past the crowd and grabs Alia, lips directed at her.
Based on what Rachel says, it makes Alia's expression turn evil.
"What—" I don't get to finish my sentence as they both grab my arms and pull me along to the bar.
"No, I wanna keep dancing!" I whine.
The bartender recognizes us and begins to line up fireball shots on the sticky bench. He was probably happy with the amount of money we'd already put on our tab.
"Ready? Three, two, one, shot!"
My tongue burns from the whiskey and Rachel hollers. "Next stop! Let's go!"
We gather everyone up and stumble out of the door. The bouncer glares at us as we thank him with drunken voices. According to Alia and her devil advocate, Rachel, the night was too young to stop at the pace we were going at.
"Where should we go?" Dee asks and wraps a tanned arm around Rachel. Cleo and Mya trail behind us and giggle to themselves.
"Your bed." Alia winks and I playfully shove her arm.
"Verona's Garden?" I suggest.
My friends all gasp and they excitedly agree on our next spot.
My studded heels are becoming unpleasant and my neon pink dress is becoming second skin. I don't let it stop me and let years of practice drive me to our next destination.
"If Ruby doesn't kiss someone tonight, I'm postponing my wedding." Alia says.
"As if that matters." I gawk. "I'm very happy with my girls, thank you very much."
Cleo nudges me. "Why not? No one up to your standard?"
We turn a corner onto a main street where various people and groups crowd together to also find their next place of worship.
I roll my eyes. "That's not it—"
"Ruby wants tall, dark, and mysterious men." Mya waggles her eyebrows and my friends all nod their heads in agreement.
"I just want them to be...tantalizing." I admit, my already reddened cheeks flaring up more.
Everyone coos.
"Tantalizing, she says." Mya repeats dreamily.
"Otherworldly."
"Magical."
"Tantalizing." Alia finishes.
"Leave me alone!" I groan in embarrassment and we heighten our laugh.
A familiar blue sign can be seen from a distance and a long cue has formed underneath it.
Verona's Garden; a stone-wall interior with regency decor to match the story of Romeo and Juliet. Except, it's tainted with seductive drinks and an atmospheric web. We're not surprised by the amount of people desperate to get in.
The club doesn't close until five a.m so we're in no rush at all.
As we stand in line, Cleo and Rachel fiddle with their face and hair in a compact mirror while Mya, Alia, and Dee chatter away at last minute details for the upcoming wedding.
I chime in with a few comments, though I am immediately distracted by a sudden noise.
Meow.