“If you’re taking advice from anyone, it should be Marsha,” Sharon says. “She is living.”

She’s holding her eyelid steady, as she applies a layer of mascara. Her brand new dachshund puppy, Grizzly, has nuzzled his way into my lap. He perks his little ears up when I reluctantly laugh at her joke.

It’s not that I’m against Marsha’s advice. I want to meet someone who can take me out of myself. It’s just that I really am not the club kind of woman anymore. Plus, I’m pretty sure Sharon already has someone in mind for tonight.

“Who do you have your eyes on tonight?” I ask her.

Her mouth droops open as she concentrates. “Some guy I worked with years ago. He’s a managing consultant at this big firm. He’s hot and totally loaded, but he can kind of be a prick sometimes.”

“Oh,” I reply. I’m not judging, but most of the men Sharon dates are pricks.

“Don’t worry,” she adds, “He told me he’s showing up late because of work, so you won’t be rid of me that soon. You know, you look gorgeous right now. I don’t think you’ll have a problem meeting people.”

“Thank you, dear. I’m not worried,” I say. “Actually, I’m kind of excited. It’s been a while since we went out together. Remember college?”

She sets her makeup down and hugs me. “Oh, I remember. I don’t miss all the bullshit of being in my early twenties, but I definitely miss some of those nights. We had so much fun,” she says.

Grizzly pops up and licks both our faces. “Ugh, Grizzly. I just did my face.” She looks down at the sad puppy eyes staring back at her. “You’re just so damn cute, Grizz. You can get away with anything, can’t you?”

“I need a puppy.” I kiss his cute, soft head. He barks excitedly.

“There!” she announces. “I think I’m ready. How do I look?”

“Fabulous, darling,” I say. “We’re going to be the classiest bitches there.”

“Should we take a picture for our fans?” I ask her, half-joking.

“Yes!” She grabs my phone and opens it, with no sense of privacy. “Wait a minute.” She smiles and glances back up at me. What is this?”

Holding my phone in front of my face, I can see that I left my internet search open. “10 Hottest Athletes” is open, front and center.

“I thought you didn’t like jocks,” she teases.

I grab my phone back from her, blushing dark red. “I don’t. I was just curious who that guy was at the gym,” I lie. My cheeks are warm with embarrassment. My legs are warm with a different kind of feeling. It’s one of pleasure.

“Stop lying, babe. There’s no need to. That guy was choice pickings,” she says.

“I know,” I admit. “He was really hot.” I bite my lip and pull at the edges of my skirt. I quickly look away, brushing off the feeling as much as I can.

“Anyway,” I continue, “ I doubt that I’ll ever see him again. I’m just…”

“Fantasizing.” Sharon raises one brow, as the right side of her lips fold upward into a cunning smile. “You dirty girl.”

“Not true.” I give my best smile and curtsey. “I’m a good girl.”

She laughs, kissing at the mirror, after applying lipstick. “Perfect. Men love good girls,” she says.

There’s no reason to keep thinking about him. I don’t know him. I’ve never even spoke to him before. But my mind wanders back to those quick moments of allure. I see the bead of sweat falling from his temple, as his muscles bulge against his shirt. His dark eyes are determined as he powers through his set. My eyes trail down to his legs, those muscular thighs, gripping against the leather workout bench. In the center of it all is his perfect cock. It’s hard as a rock and ready for me to sit on it.

I have to catch my breath when that image comes into my mind. My body is tight with desire. My skin is glistening with heat. These are just fantasies, the kind of thing I try to keep hidden from everyone, locked away. But lately, I’ve wanted to give into them. I’ve wanted to just forget about all my control issues and let someone have his way with me.

In the car, I can barely speak. A wave of excitement hits the center of my chest when I realize I haven’t been out in ages. I’ve been stuck at work with Marsha. I’ve been over-analyzing everything lately. Tonight is about moving forward with new experiences. It’s about letting go.

Sharon is playing music loudly and screaming with anticipation. She’s bouncing her hair left and right, and moving to the beat. We exit the freeway and drive through the lit up city. The space needle shines brightly above us. Its red dot blinks at us, as we pull up to the giant club. There’s a huge line wrapped around the building.

“Shit, this is crazy packed,” Sharon says.

“Yeah,” I reply back absentmindedly. I’m focused on myself right now. I quickly adjust my red skirt. I make sure my white crop top is positioned just right. I glance down at my black heels, and then I grab my pocket mirror. I purse my lips and analyze my lashes. “I look good, right? I don’t look like total crap, right?”

Sharon gives me a loving look. “You look like a total fucking babe right now,” she says.

As we sit, parked in the lot, four dressed up women walk by. They’re wearing black, skintight dresses, and expensive jewelry. They talk loudly, laughing after every word that’s said. Sharon and I both look at each other and roll our eyes. Then we laugh, much louder than the other women.

“Whatever happens tonight,” she says, before opening the car door, “I want you to know that I love you, believe in you, and want you to succeed with everything in life.”

“Are you planning on never seeing me again or something?” I ask her.

“I’m just saying. You’re my best friend,” she says. If you want to leave later or need space, we can leave. Okay?”

“Sharon, it’ll be fine,” I say. “I’m going to have a good time. I promise.”

As soon as our heels hit the asphalt, I know that tonight will exceed all my expectations. “Let’s do this, babe,” she says.

We walk to the front of the line and wait for our lives to change forever.