Page 47 of Notes About Vodka

But as she rests her head against my chest, I realize something. I want to spoil her, take care of her in ways she’s never seen before. I want to make her feel safe, wanted, adored—all the things she deserves but has never had.

Coffee, food at school, a fuzzy bathrobe since it’s getting colder at night. Dresses. Perfume. Everything she deserves. I want her to wake up every day knowing just how much she’s loved.

But it’s still autumn, and I don’t even know her birthday yet. I want to know all of it—her favorite flowers, her favorite books, what makes her smile on her worst days. I want to learn every detail that makes Laura who she is, and then I want to give her all of it.

She shifts in my arms, and I look down, seeing her eyes closed, her breathing even. She’s exhausted. I tighten my hold, resting my chin on her head, and just stand there, holding her, hoping she knows I mean every word.

I’ve got time. And I’m going to make every second count.

And maybe, I can make her see that she deserves everything. Including me. Including how much I adore US.

Chapter Fifteen

LAURA

“Why did the vodka break up with the water? Because it found someone more intoxicating!”

The sharp ring of my phone jolts me awake, yanking me out of the thin, restless sleep I’d barely managed to fall into.

What a great vivid dream I had. One where I was in this world, but when I would go to sleep, I was in a new world, a delusional world with a Fae prince and I was a Fae princess. But then I’d wake up in the real world again. Unsatisfied that I was there.

I blink, my eyes gritty from exhaustion as the screen glows bright in the early morning light.

Ronni’s name flashes across the display.

With a groggy sigh, I rub my face, trying to shake off the fog clouding my mind, and swipe to answer the call from my divorce lawyer.

“Hey, Ronni,” I croak, my voice still thick with sleep.

“Good morning, Laura!” Her voice is bright, unnervingly chipper for this hour.

Oh, crap! It’s already 8:15 a.m.

Ronni’s tone is too happy as she keeps talking and I try to reign in my panic for oversleeping. “I’ve got some good news. The judge has agreed to hear your divorce case in two weeks.”

I sit up straighter, my brain slowly catching up to her words. A wave of relief washes over me. One at realizing I don’t have class today, just work later on, but also because it feels like a heavy weight that’s been pressing down on my chest for months is finally lifting.

Two weeks.

“That’s...amazing,” I say, my voice breathy with disbelief. “Thank you, Ronni. Really.”

“We’re making progress,” she continues, and I can hear the confidence in her voice. “I’m filing for the abandonment clause we discussed. Given how long Sam has been out of the picture and his lack of cooperation now that he has gone back to Florida, this is our best shot. I’m confident the judge will see it in our favor.”

The abandonment clause—something I hadn't even known was an option until Ronni explained it to me a few weeks ago. Essentially, it means that because Sam has been absent and uncooperative for so long, I can proceed with the divorce without needing his consent.

Sam has made this divorce so much harder than it needed to be, dragging his feet and throwing up roadblocks at every turn. What should have been quick has carried on for over a year. But this...this felt like a real chance to finally close that chapter.

“Two weeks,” I murmur, more to myself than to Ronni.

“We’ll need to go over a few things, but I’ll email you the details later today,” Ronni says, pulling me back to the moment. “In the meantime, take a deep breath. This is a big step.”

“Thank you, Ronni. I really appreciate everything.”

“Of course. I’ll talk to you soon,” she replies before hanging up.

I flop back onto my pillow, the phone slipping from my hand, its cold surface brushing against my cheek before tumbling onto the sheets. My chest rises and falls in uneven breaths, the weight of exhaustion pressing down on me like a lead blanket.

For the first time in ages, I allow myself to feel a glimmer of hope.

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