Page 36 of Notes About Vodka

Then he takes over, turning the kiss into something searing,soul-quenching. It feels both freeing and overwhelming, like shedding a weight I’ve carried for far too long.

In that moment, all the fear and self-doubt melt away, replaced by a rush of warmth and certainty that maybe, just maybe, I deserve this—this connection, this hope, this chance to feel alive again. His lips move with a purpose, his hands firm yet tender, and I feel like I’m melting into him. By the time he pulls back, I’m breathless, my head spinning.

He steps back, his gaze lingering on mine with a warmth that makes my knees weak. Without another word, he turns and walks away, leaving me standing in the doorway, my heart racing.

As he reaches the door of his Mazda, he turns around, smiles back, and for a moment, it feels like the world isn’t such a dark place after all as he asks, “Hey, I know this may be awkward with the whole husband thing, but can I take you out? Like really take you out? Don't answer now. When you decide, leave me a note. Okay?”

For a moment, I’m stunned, unable to find the words. His question catches me off guard, not because I don’t want to say yes, but because of what it represents. It feels like he’s offering me a glimpse of a different life—one where I’m not defined by the mistakes and pain of my past, but by the hope and possibility of something new. It’s terrifying and exhilarating all at once. But then I nod, a small smile tugging at my lips. I watch him go, my heart fluttering in a way I haven’t felt in a long time.

Chapter Twelve

LAURA

"Vodka may fuel the night, but it's the music that moves our souls and the friends beside us who make every moment unforgettable."

Inside the apartment, I find Rhea and Skipper lounging on the couch, half-watching a movie that flickers softly on the TV screen. The instant I step through the door, their heads snap up, eyes filled with concern. They must sense the heaviness in my footsteps, the weight in my gaze.

"Hey, you okay?" Skipper asks, his voice soft and tentative.

I nod, my mind swirling with thoughts and emotions. "Yeah, just tired," I mutter, my voice strained, as if it could crack at any moment.

I head towards my room, desperate for solitude, to process everything that’s happened tonight, but before I can shut the door, Skipper’s voice cuts through the silence again. "Laura, about Sam… I didn’t think?—"

I whip around, the frustration and anger I’ve been buryingall evening finally bubbling to the surface. My chest tightens, and I can feel my pulse hammering in my ears.

"Why did you even let him come up and visit?" I snap, my voice louder than I intended. "I don’t care how much he begged you, Skip. You know what he’s like!"

Skipper’s face falls, and he looks down, his shoulders slumping under the weight of my words. "I thought he just wanted to talk, to try and make things right. I didn’t know it would get like this," he says quietly, guilt clouding his eyes.

"Next time, don’t listen to him," I say, my voice firm. "I’m done letting him control my life. I just... I’m really glad you were here."

Rhea stands up, crossing the room to place a comforting hand on my arm. Her touch is gentle, a reminder that I’m not alone. "We’re here for you, whatever you need," she says, her voice soothing.

I nod, swallowing back the lump in my throat. The exhaustion is bone-deep, but there’s a flicker of relief too, knowing I have them by my side.

Sneaking off to my room, I lock myself inside.

Taking my old headphones, I plug them into my keyboard and start playing. The comforting weight of the keys under my fingers and the familiar melodies surround me. Even with two keys missing from the high notes, I can still lose myself to the magic of old Disney songs. The music fills the silence, each note soothing the chaos in my mind.

Before I crawl into bed that night, I take a moment to meditate, focusing on my breathing and letting go of the tension that’s been building inside me. I think about my decisions and my new life here in New York.

It’s not perfect, but it’s mine, and I’m doing my best to make it work.

I can’t stop thinking about Val. There’s a new feelingstirring inside me, something that feels a lot like hope, something I haven't felt in a long time. It’s terrifying but also exhilarating—like standing at the edge of something new, something that could be wonderful if I let it.

I need to avoid him, but there’s something about Val that just captivates me. He makes me feel like I could be more, like maybe I deserve to be happy again.

The next morning, I wake up to the smell of bacon and pancakes wafting through the apartment. I follow my nose to the kitchen, where Rhea and Skipper are busy setting up an at-home brunch spread, complete with mimosas. I can’t help but smile at their efforts.

"Surprise!" Rhea sings, grinning from ear to ear. "We thought you could use a little cheering up."

"Yeah, you’ve had a rough few days," Skipper adds, flipping a pancake with a flourish. "Consider this a 'we love you' brunch."

As we sit down to eat, the conversation drifts from light-hearted topics to something more serious. Rhea looks at me, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "So…about Val," she starts, drawing out his name. "The way he looks at you in chemistry, girl, he’s definitely falling for you. You can see it in his eyes. Like when you answered that question about molecular bonding last week? He couldn’t stop smiling. And remember when you spilled your coffee and he handed you his napkin before anyone else even noticed? Or even the other night atPianissimo, he kept his eyes on you and only you even though Sam was there."

I feel my cheeks heat up at the mention of Val. "I don’tknow," I mumble, suddenly finding my plate very interesting. I remember that, he even gave me his coffee to finish. Now I am starting to feel real bad for possibly overreacting yesterday morning over a latte.

"Come on, Laura," Skipper chimes in, his tone encouraging. "You deserve to be happy. To go for it with Val, even if you’re still in the middle of divorcing Sam. You know, a fresh start."

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