Page 78 of Notes About Vodka

After several more martinis, we finally found a couch in the back of The Blue Key.

Leaning into me, I can feel Laura letting her guard down.

I know it’s the perfect time to give her my present.

I pull out a small, carefully wrapped gift from my coat pocket. “Here. Happy birthday, Laura.”

Her face lights up as she unwraps it, revealing the rare Russian nesting doll that has 9 different levels and can still fit in your pocket. “Val, this is amazing! Thank you.”

She looks up at me, and for a second, I see that same longing. But then her face falls, a flash of regret darkening her expression. “Val, I... I can’t accept this,” she says, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’m still married, we really shouldn’t have done that…thing, you know, the other night. Sam is dragging this whole process out, not showing up, making things complicated. And what if he finds out, I’m scared he could use us against me.”

I clench my jaw, the frustration bubbling up, but I force myself to stay calm. “Laura, why are you letting him control your life like this? You deserve more than this endless waiting. Didn’t you file for divorce back in September? Why is it taking so long?”

She closes her eyes, taking a deep breath. “Please, Val, not tonight. No questions about Sam or the divorce. I’m sorry I brought it up. I’m just… I’m so scared he can ruin everything. Forget me and my crazy. It’s my birthday. Can we just enjoy it?”

I sigh, running a hand through my hair, struggling to bite back the disappointment. “You’re right. I’m sorry. Let’s just…let’s make it a good night.”

Then, I open the nesting doll, laying out the pieces as Laura gasps, “They keep on going!”

Picking up the pieces, Laura reassembles them and takes them apart again and again, “Rhea, Skip, look at this.”

Her friends were having their own conversation look over, to where we are sitting, “It’s like me, a fancy onion with many layers.”

I laugh. “It sure is.”

I pull Laura into my side, hugging her closely. “I’m glad you like it.”

“I really do, Val. I’m sorry I’m so dramatic, I just don’t…” She pauses for a while. “I don’t know how to say this. I have so many mixed emotions when it comes to you…and I don’t want you to be a rebound, or a mistake.”

“Laura, I feel just as wildly about you and I know, I’m not going to be your rebound, and we are definitely not a mistake.”

I begin to lean in, finally ready to kiss Laura like I’ve wanted to all night.

But just when I think things are falling into place, Laura pauses, her gaze moving to the doorway. She starts to tremble.

I follow her sight and a big grin spreads across my face. Well, this is unexpected.

“I’m glad you accepted my invite,” I say as Roqui walks across the room and joins us.

Chapter Twenty-Three

LAURA

"A shot of vodka, a burst of love—sometimes all you need is a little courage in a glass. Or absolute anger. Both works."

The happiness of tonight is a stark contrast to the tension that's been brewing inside me ever since Val's ex-girlfriend, Roquelle, aka Roqui, came to my birthday party.

Maybe it’s all the martinis and the vodka shots. But…

I can’t believe he actually invited her here…to my. Birthday. Party.

When he’s supposed to be my date. My…Val.

I know I shouldn’t be jealous.

He sure knows how to say all the right words in both Russian and English when he has me tucked into his bed lately… BUT…

Ugh, Roqui has always irked me deep down. Pretending to be friends with everyone, yet talking shit about the same people behind their back.

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