I laugh at her excitement and let her pull me to an empty table. We order a couple of cokes and sit back to people watch while we scout the place out. The sweaty mass of bodies on the dance floor look like they’re having a blast, and I feel myself wanting to join them. I’m usually too shy to jump up and dance, but when it’s this crowded and dark, I feel like I can just disappear into the crowd and let go.

Becca nudges my arm when two guys start walking towards us. They look to be about our age, both of them nice enough looking, but I...