Page 79 of Notes About Vodka

Even though she’s been back atPianissimoforover a month now, and claims that we are friends and she wants nothing to do with Val, I still can’t stand her.

Because when it comes to Val, when she knows I’m listening but busy, she talks about their sex life. And when she describes the movements of his tongue, I want to cry.

Because I know. I truly, really, know those motions.

I’m so green and sick inside I just need to go home. I’ll start tomorrow new and move away from this hangover.I should just walk up to her and thank her like one of my favorite book characters did to her man’s ex, but, that’s not me…

As I sit back in the booth in between Rhea and Skipper, I’m plagued by a memory of Val warning me of Roqui’s presence. I just didn’t realize it would come back to haunt me tonight of all nights.

The memory of the night before Roqui came back is still fresh in my mind.

Val and I were lying in bed after studying for a chemistry exam the next day. We were cuddling, just experienced our first kiss, the city lights casting a soft glow through the window. He had been unusually quiet, and I could sense he had something on his mind.

"What's bothering you?" I asked, snuggling closer to him.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair."There's something I need to tell you. There’s this girl, Roqui. She’s coming back tomorrow from being on tour with a ballet company and I figure I should tell you now before you find out from someone else."

My heart skipped a beat. I had noticed people at the restaurant talking about her more and more lately. I tried to brush it off, but there was something about her that bothered me and I didn’t even know her yet.

"What about her?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

Val looked at me, his eyes filled with regret. "Roqui and Iused to date. I didn't mention it before because...well, I didn't think it mattered. But now, with her coming back, she’s going to be around as another bartender. I felt you should know."

I felt a mix of emotions—relief that he was finally telling me, but also anger that he hadn't told me sooner. "Why didn't you tell me before?"

He sighed again."Well…honestly, our relationship was over long before I met you. Then, the moment I heard you, saw you, auditioning for Pianissimo I knew I was curious. Laura, I knew I was a goner and there would be no other woman for me. As we got to know each other, I didn't want to complicate things. I mean, I wasn’t sure if Roqui was coming back here so it didn’t make sense to tell you about a past girlfriend. Because that’s what she is, the past. But don’t worry about her being here, I’m sure you two will be great friends once you meet her. She’s actually pretty cool and chill."

“I don’t know Val. I already heard rumors from others at Pianissimo and she doesn’t seem very…nice.”

“It will be okay, moya lubimaya. I promise.”

“Are you ever going to tell me what that means?”I ask.

“Not yet, sredste. But soon.”Val kisses me on the cheek, opening up our chemistry books back to where we were reading before forcing us to finish a few more problems and then letting us finally get some sleep.

I’m shocked back into the present.

“Bestie!” Skipper shouts as he drapes himself around my shoulders.

“Owe,” I moan.

“Oh, sorry. Back sore?” he asks.

“You have no idea,” I reply as I glance across the room and see Roqui. She’s standing too close to Val, her laugh too loud, her hand lingering on his arm. My irritation bubbles over as I get lost in the past once more as Skipper rubs out the tension along my spine.

Fucking vodka.

I’m lost again to the intoxication of the burn…

I remember the story Roqui told the staff one night while we were doing our side work.

I had just finished rolling the silverware and started on plucking the dried herbs for morning brunch the next day.

Roqui went on and on about a guy she had dated. How he would buy her expensive presents, lavish her with fancy cuisine, yet she wouldn’t give it up. She never even kissed him but kept him on a leash for months.

Listening to the story, I couldn’t believe the woman.

She even bragged about a time he snuck them into a Dave Matthew’s Concert. Saying the man was wild, willing to do anything if the pussy was up for grabs. Yet she kept saying how she would only let him go down on her. She’d never repay the favor, just make him jerk off onto her very fake tits.

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