Page 50 of Notes About Vodka

He smells so nice. Like having a bonfire on the beach at night, with the salty oceanside breeze flowing through your hair.

I feel the reverberations of Val’s laughter as he holds me close, stroking my hair.

“I did warn you, Laura,” Mads tells me.

“I know,” I sniffle. “But it was so sweet, it tasted like water and honey.”

Turning back around, Val gives me back my milk. “Sip it, mi lubimiya, slowly, okay?”

Enjoying my new favorite drink, I sip the milk while Val continues, “It's supposed to start sweet. It’s infused with honey as well as these ghost peppers the kitchen sometimes gets from South Carolina. I’ve been working on the blend for about a year now and I think this is it.”

Mads, still sipping his shot, snickers. “Oh, it’s definitely going to be hot with the regulars.”

“Don’t you dare,” I say, slapping Val’s chest gently, “give this to anyone. This is ours.”

Now that the burn is ending, I can taste the honey and sweetness from the pepper again.

Both guys laugh as Val gives me a big hug. “Okay, for you, I’ll keep it a bottle for us. But next time, small sips.”

“Okay, Valerie, okay.”

“Laura?”

“Yeah Val?”

“Enjoy your night,” Val says with a wink.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, see ya later, Valehrey.”

All night the three of us end up sneaking vodka shots whenever Tony’s not looking, giggling like teenagers. I even slip a sip at the piano, allowing the heat to fire my fingers as I sing my own slower rendition of Ed Sheeran’sShivers.

There is nothing cool about my body though. As the night wears on, I find myself watching Val more than usual. His tall, muscular frame, the way his dark hair falls across his forehead, that deep Russian accent that somehow makes even the worstjokes sound charming—it’s hard not to get distracted. I want to know what his accent sounds like as he...

Laura, get a grip on yourself.

Wiping down a stain on my dress from someone spilling their leftover gin and tonic when I was moving away from the piano stage, Val sidles up beside me.

“You look like you’re in deep thought,” he says, leaning casually against the drink station, his dark brown eyes catching mine. Flecks of gold catch the light from the restaurant.

I shrug and give him a small smile. “Just...thinking about everything.”

“Care to share?” He raises an eyebrow, genuinely curious.

I hesitate, then nod, only give him some of what’s been floating around in my brain. “I had a meeting about medical internships today. I’m thinking about applying to a few.”

Val’s face lights up, his smile radiating a pride I’ve never seen before—one Sam never showed me, one my dad never even thought to give.

“That’s incredible, Laura. You’ll crush it. Let me know if you want to read your application letters to me. I’m not the best at grammar but I can try to help make sure your words are convincing.”

His words send warmth coursing through me.

“Thanks, I would really appreciate that,” I say, my smile widening. “Also, I talked to my lawyer this morning. The judge is hearing my divorce case in two weeks.”

His expression shifts, becoming serious but supportive. Yet there’s also fire, heat in his own eyes. “That’s good news, Laura, very good news. I’m glad things are moving forward for you.”

“Me too,” I admit softly. “It’s just...a lot.”

Val reaches out, gently squeezing my hand. “You’re strong, Laura. You’ll get through this.”

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