Page 46 of Notes About Vodka

I laugh, leaning against the bar. "Yeah, tell me something I don’t know."

Roqui shrugs, a hint of a grin on her lips. "Look, Val, I’m not here to mess with whatever you’ve got going on. I just came back to work and maybe grab a drink now and then. But you should know, if Laura’s the one you’re after, you’ve gotta make it clear to her. She seemed...rattled. Probably thought Tony was right, that I’m still in the picture."

I nod, taking that in. She’s right, and I can’t let Laura keep doubting where my head—or my heart—is at. "I know. I’m on it. Thanks, Roq."

She gives me a mock salute, the usual playful edge back in her eyes. "Anytime, man. Just don’t expect me to hold back if Tony says something dumb again. I’ve been waiting months to tell him off."

With that, she saunters off to the back, leaving me to figure out how the hell I’m going to smooth things over with Laura. I watch her go, my mind racing.

I need to talk to Laura. Now. I don’t trust Roqui. And…

I don’t have much time to dwell on it because I overhear Roqui talking to Laura in the break-room. I don’t mean to eavesdrop, but, well, I do. Sue me.

“Hey, you okay?” Roqui’s voice carries through the door, casual, but there’s an unmistakable condescension to it, like she’s enjoying this more than she should, subtly trying to undermine Laura’s feelings..

Laura hesitates before answering. "I’m fine." But her tone betrays her—she’sdefinitelynot fine.

“You heard what Tony said, huh?” Roqui’s voice shifts, not quite as comforting as it might seem. “Look, don’t let that get to you. Tony likes to stir the pot. Val and I were a thing, sure, but who knows—maybe some feelings just don't go away that easily. But hey, he’s into you now, not me. Trust me.”

How does Roqui know all this?Well, it’s Roqui. She’s always been perceptive, a little too perceptive for her own good. Maybe she picked up on how I look at Laura when we’re talking earlier, or maybe someone else filled her in while she came back. Either way, she’s not wrong. I haven’t looked at anyone the way I look at Laura in a long time. I hover by the door, not sure if I should interrupt or let them hash it out.

Laura’s quiet for a beat, and I can almost feel the weight of her hesitation through the door. I want to go in there, tell her it’s all good, but I don’t. Not yet.

Finally, Laura speaks, her voice shaky. “I just don’t know if I can do this. I’m still technically… Well, that’s a long story that's really none of your business. And Val… He could just go back to you, and I’d be left alone again. Some of the other waiters mentioned that y’all were pretty hot and heavy last Spring..."

The words hit me like a punch in the gut. She’s scared. Scared I’ll leave her, scared I’ll run back to Roqui—or worse, scared that she’s not enough because of all the baggage she’s carrying with Sam. I can’t let her think that. I can’t let her sit there doubting us.

I take a deep breath and step into the room. Both Laura and Roqui look up, startled by my sudden appearance. I don’t even glance at Roqui; my focus is entirely on Laura. Her eyes meet mine, wide and filled with uncertainty, and it breaks my heart a little.

"Laura," I say softly, stepping closer. She shifts slightly, as if bracing herself for bad news, but I’m not going to let her spiral. Not like this.

Roqui doesn’t say anything, just gives me a quick nod, her lips curling into a knowing smile, as if to say she still has her hooks in me.

Laura shifts uncomfortably, her eyes narrowing slightly, and I can see her grip tighten on the edge of the counter. It’s like she’s trying to steady herself, fighting against whatever insecurity Roqui's presence has stirred up. Roqui seems to enjoy it, her gaze lingering on Laura for a moment longer before she finally turns and quietly slips out.

She turns and quietly slips out, leaving Laura and me alone. I walk over to Laura, my hands already itching to reach for her.

“Listen to me,” I say, my voice low, “I’m not going anywhere. Roqui and I… Yeah, we had fun, but that’s it. It didn’t mean anything, and it’s over. You’re the one I want, Laura. Just you.”

She looks down, chewing on her bottom lip. I can see theuncertainty in her eyes, the way her shoulders slump slightly like she’s preparing herself for heartbreak. It tears me apart.

“But I’m still married,” she whispers, her voice trembling. “I don’t want to drag you into that mess. And what if… What if you decide that I’m too much to deal with?”

That’s enough—I close the distance between us, pulling her into my arms.

I kiss her, slowly and tenderly, with every bit of reassurance I can give. I feel her melt against me, all that tension and doubt unraveling as I hold her close, wanting her to feel just how much she means to me.

When I finally pull back, I rest my forehead against hers, whispering, “You’re not too much. You’re my world, Laura. I’m not going anywhere, I swear to you.”

Her eyes flicker with emotion, and for the first time, I see that uncertainty start to fade. She lets out a shaky breath, her hands clutching the front of my shirt like she’s afraid to let go.

“I’ll be here, no matter what happens,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. “You don’t have to worry about Roqui, or Sam, or anything else. Just take your time, figure things out. I’m not leaving.”

Laura nods slowly, her grip on my shirt loosening as she leans into me. I hold her, letting her rest against my chest, knowing that, for once, I’ve actually gotten through to her.

Whatever’s coming next, we’ll face it together. I’m not letting her face it alone. She looks up at me, her eyes wide and searching, like she’s trying to see if I’m lying.I’m not. I’m yours forever Laura, just have me.

“I promise you,” I say softly. “It’s just you.” Laura lets out a shaky breath and nods, but I can still feel the fear lingering. I kiss her again, softer this time, as if that could reassure her of what I already know. She’s mine, and I’m hers, and nothing—not her past, not Roqui, not anything—is going to change that.

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