Page 104 of Notes About Vodka

After he explicitly stated his feelings on me leaving for Baltimore, I’m not sure where we stand right now. He’s texted a lot and we’ve even talked a few times on the phone, but it feels forced.

I get more animation from the photos of food and Central Park than I do that man.He’s so frustrating.

I’ve even tried to get Val to sexy talk with me at night, but after a few failed attempts and him telling me it makes him uncomfortable, I gave up. I’m not even in the mood these days to take care of business on my own.

It’s just…ugh. Val’s been great, and I know I love him, but what is this? We support each other and then something good happens so we get jealous?

Ugh, the man is going to make me crazy.

Half way through my internship, I’m finally back home in NYC for a quick weekend from Baltimore.

It’s Val’s birthday and he wants to keep it low key. He really just wanted Skipper and I to check out the new steakhouse restaurant, the City Tavern, where Val just started bartending.

After I leftPianissimo, Val couldn’t stay either. So, a few weeks of searching, he found this new upscale place and invited us to come out to enjoy dinner on him.

I haven’t seen Val yet, he was already at work when Skip and I got to the apartment. Quickly, the two of us cleaned up, acting silly as we dressed up far too nicely. But it felt good, making myself look beautiful for Val.

I really want to figure out where we stand in this relationship because as I look around our home,there’s already so much of us.

Pictures from Brighton Beach and Central Park. Trinkets from shopping and adventures around the city. The shelf of turtles and nesting dolls in the corner over our couch where Val and I fucked so many times.

A shiver runs up my spine at the memory. We would be watching TV when he would remove my leggings, panties, whatever was covering me up, pull me on top of his lap before sliding deep inside me. I’d ride him for the rest of the evening until finally we’d combust.

Maybe now that we’ve had some time apart, Val and I can talk. I’m only going to be gone for another three weeks. Certainly, it can’t be that bad.

As Skipper and I step into City Tavern, a wave of warmth and sophistication envelops us. It’s the first time I've been back in weeks, the first night I get to see Val since everything with my internship—and I can feel the excitement building in my chest. The air is thick with the aroma of grilled steaks and aged whisky, and I can’t help but feel a little out of place, like I’m stepping into Val’s new world. But there’s also that undercurrent of guilt. My internship, the time away—it’s been a lot for both of us.

We settle into a cozy corner booth, where soft candlelight flickers over the dark wood table. Skipper wastes no time, ordering himself a cocktail, and I ask for a glass of red wine to calm my nerves. As we wait, I can’t shake the feeling of tension mixed with happiness, a constant swirl since I got back.

Finally, I see Val weaving through the tables. His dark hair catches the light, his face brightening when he spots us. My heart races as he walks over, and I’m struck by how good he looks, so athome in his element.

Val makes his way to our table, flashing a wide grin as he gestures to the two people by his side. “Laura, Skipper, meet my partners in crime,” he says. “This is Amelia and Dot.”

Dot, a lanky tall white guy with a quick smile and very curly dark black hair and bright blue eyes, gives us a friendly wave.

Amelia steps forward; petite, dirty blonde hair, she has a slight drawl in her voice. “Well, hi there! Val says you're from Alabama, well I’m from Georgia,” she says with a grin. “I gotta say, I didn’t expect to be working with anyone like Val up here. This guy could charm the peaches right off a Georgia tree.”

“Only if the peaches agreed to it,” Val quips, winking.

Well, Val’s in a really good mood.

“Oh, they’d agree alright,” Skipper pipes up, laughing as he raises his glass. “By the way, Amelia, is he as bossy with you guys as he is with us outside of work?”

Amelia laughs, nudging Val. “You know, he’s a stickler, but we keep him grounded. We all know the real secret is that he’s a big ol’ Russian softie. He is constantly telling us about you and him, by the way.”

What the fuck?

I’m looking at my best friend and Val’s co-workers.Val talks to them about me and himself? I can barely get him to open up to me…

Dot chimes in, “And believe it or not, he makes a mean cup of coffee. Keeps us all fueled on long shifts.” He grins, adjusting his cap.

“Oh, yeah, Val’s famous coffee.” I laugh, rolling my eyes. “He even has a technique for stirring it, says it’s ‘secret family knowledge’.”

“Now, now, Laura,” Val teases, giving me a look, “don’t go spilling all my trade secrets. I need to maintain some mystery here.”

Dot chuckles, shaking his head. “This guy? He’s all about the mystery. But honestly, he’s a solid guy to work with, doesn’t leave you hanging when it gets crazy back there.”

“Yeah, you lucked out with this one,” Amelia adds, giving me a smile. “We all did, really.”

---