Page 59 of Notes About Vodka

I chuckle softly, reaching for the remote. “Rom-com it is. Anything for you.” I flip through the options until we find one that makes her smile—a cheesy, feel-good movie that promises plenty of laughs. We settle in, Laura leaning against me as I wrap an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close.

The movie starts, and we fall into a comfortable silence. I can feel the tension slowly leave her body, her muscles relaxing as she snuggles into my side. I press a soft kiss to the top of her head, my heart swelling with something I can’t quite describe. Love, maybe. Hope.

As we watch, I trace idle circles on her shoulder with my thumb, my eyes flickering between the screen and her face. Her expression softens as she laughs at the ridiculous dialogue, and I find myself smiling too. In this moment, everything else fades away—her past, my fears, the uncertainty of the future. All that matters is that she’s here, with me, and for tonight, that’s enough.

Chapter Eighteen

LAURA

“I was so focused on falling and getting hurt, I forgot I could fly. Or maybe it was the vodka red bulls that helped me sprout wings.”

I can’t believe I just told Val all of that. What must he think about me? I’m such an idiot...

My heart feels heavy, and I can’t shake the fear that I’ve said too much. But deep down, there’s also a flicker of relief—like maybe, just maybe, I don’t have to carry it all alone anymore.

The other half of my soul…

Sam never said anything romantic, so Val’s confession warms my heart.

Maybe he’s right…the other half…

The waterway glistens as we pass over the bridges connecting us back to the city, casting shimmering reflections of Manhattan's lights in a mesmerizing dance. The sight is almost hypnotic, and I feel a strange mix of awe and comfortwatching the way the city lights ripple across the water's surface. It’s like the city is welcoming me back, even with all my mess.

Val guides the car into the underground garage of his building, where the space is sleek and modern. The air smells faintly of concrete and motor oil, and the echo of our footsteps as we step out of the car feels almost reverent after his confession in this quiet.

We take the elevator up to his place, the quiet hum of the lift adding to the anticipation.What will I do? Am I actually ready for more?When the doors open, they reveal his cozy yet sophisticated condo.

I glance around, a soft smile tugging at my lips. “I always forget how incredible this place is, Val.”

Val walks to the kitchen area where he pours us each a shot of vodka, the crystal-clear liquid catching the light as he hands one to me in a shot glass covered in Russian nesting dolls.

I giggle at the cuteness of the little cup.

“It’s yours, and only for the best vodka,” Val winks as he raises his own shot glass covered in scenes from Moscow. “Found them online and couldn’t resist.”

“Here’s to a relaxing night,” I say with a grin. We clink glasses and take our shots, the smooth warmth of the vodka spreading through me.

It’s not just the alcohol—it’s the feeling of being here, in this safe space, that makes me relax. It reminds me of the times I’d sneak a drink with friends, pretending we were grown-ups with no cares in the world. “Thanks for letting me cry all over your shirt.”

“It was my pleasure, Laura baby. Come, sit with me. Did you know,” Val begins as we settle on his sofa, my feet tucked under my body as I rest against his side. “The East River kind of reminds me of the Don River back in Russia. My uncle Volva lives in Rostov-na-Donu. It’s similar to here in New York,but from what I’ve been told, with more of a Louisianan cajun vibe.”

My eyes light up with interest. “Really? Tell me more.”

“Well,” he continues, “Rostov-na-Donu is the largest city in southern Russia, known for its historical architecture and vibrant culture. It’s actually older than the United States. The Don River flows through it, dividing the city and providing a beautiful backdrop to the country side. Every family in the city has a dacha, or farm house, in the country to escape. It’s rustic, old concrete, small park, and the area is rich with history, and the blend of charm from Peter the Great’s Era with modern touches makes it quite special. Sometimes I think Brighton Beach is just a miniature version and that’s why I like to go there so much.”

Listening intently, my curiosity is piqued. “It sounds beautiful.”

Val nods, a sense of nostalgia flowing in his eyes. “It is. Maybe one day, I can show you. For now, let’s just enjoy the night here and while we watch a movie, maybe I can show you some pictures from the internet?”

Val starts the movie, the newAlice in Wonderland, and we snuggle under blankets on the sofa after he stretches my legs over his. The glow of the TV lights up our faces, and I can’t help but feel a sense of contentment. The warm weight of the blankets, coupled with Val’s steady presence beside me, makes me feel like I’ve found a place of peace, even if only for a little while. As promised, Val occasionally shows me pictures of some of his favorite places in Russia. I sigh and visualize being there, eating the food, living in their world.

As the movie continues to play in the background, Val glances at me with curiosity. “So, enough pictures of the motherland, I have a question that I really need to know.”

I look at him, raising at eyebrow, “Okay, ask.”

“How did you convince Skip and Rhea to move with you to NYC?”

Chuckling softly, I tell him, “Skip has always dreamed of Hollywood and is hoping this move will be a stepping stone to something big. Even though he loves being a flight attendant, he literally is traveling the world and wants more. More fashion, more beauty, and probably more drama. As for Rhea, she’s passionate about design and saw this as a perfect chance to dive deeper into graphic arts. She’s also double majoring in linguistics because she picks up languages so easily. You should actually teach her some Russian. She will probably catch on faster than me. However, as glamorous as her passion sounds, I have a feeling she’s going to ultimately settle down and be an art teacher, like her older cousin Bianca.”

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