Page 81 of Notes About Vodka

After too many long, goodbyes, Rhea and Skipper finally take a taxi back to our apartment.

I’m going to stay with Val tonight.Who knows, maybe we will finally…

The chill of the November wind whips around my bare shoulders. I love the hot pink dress Skipper surprised me with for tonight, but he didn’t provide a jacket so I’m freezing as Val and I watch the taxi drive away.

“You are shivering,” Val says as he notices the goosebumps covering my skin.

Before I can reply, he has removed his dark blue sweater. I hold my hands up as he helps put it over my head. He is left in just a long-sleeved black t-shirt. “That can’t be warm enough Val.”

“When I’m with you, I’m on fire, so this is justfine,” he replies.

I look up into his eyes and lose my soul to their depths as he finally, fucking finally kisses me like his life depends on it and if he doesn’t have me soon, we will both combust.

I blame you, vodka, on the next moments.

Somehow we end up in Times Square. I’ve forgotten about the cold and Val’s eyes are almost gold in the neon lights as he spins me around.

We are definitely feeling the lingering effects of his martinis and all of those shots.

But, as Val pulls me through the early Christmas lights adorning Rockefeller Center, I know I’m glad that I made up my mind earlier in the week. Tonight, even though a bit tipsy, I’m giving myself to Val.

Okay, a lot tipsy.

Or maybe it’s the swirling lights and snowflakes on the front of Saks 5thAvenue.

Val and I tilt over one of the concrete garden barriers overlooking the ice-skating rink as he tries to kiss my neck. I’m giggling so hard and use the angle to sneak a kiss to his lips. Even the Rockefeller Christmas tree that is being erected fades from our minds as his tongue dances along mine.

To my credit, I catch Val off guard, or maybe we are just that drunk, and I dip out of him embrace. Carefully running towards the Empire State building. I can feel him behind me.

He catches me at the entrance, spinning me into his arms. The world is topsy turvy but I don’t care.

I’m with Val and he is…everything.

“Let’s go up,” Val says.

“Huh?”

“Come on, let’s go to the top. I’ll buy the tickets.”

“Val,” I pull his hand that’s holding on to mine. “Wait, I’m…a bit…drunk I think. And it’s so cold already.”

“Laura, come, it’s okay. I’ll get us a cappuccino in the lobby. And maybe a warm hat for your head from the gift store.”

I want to say no, the world is already spinning, but adrenaline pushes me forward. “Okay, but you better not ask for my calculator this time.”

“Okay, moya lubimaya. Let’s go create a moment together, a memory.”

Val pays for our tickets, grabs us a cappuccino, and even matches ear muffs since they were fluffy and I thought they were cute. He holds me close as we ascend more than eighty stories to the top.

“Is this a good time to tell you I’m terrified of heights?”

“Really? I better keep you close then,” Val hugs me tighter. I bury my face into his chest and close my eyes the entire way, just listening to the pre-recorded announcement explain the history of the building.

At the top, Val asks while we are still in the enclosed section, “Do you have the nesting doll I gave you?”

I’m slightly shaking, but I dig in my purse and pull out the wooden creation that Val gave me earlier. I was too focused on my friends to notice the intricate swirls and colors. An hourglass shape, the doll is painted a dark blue with bright red, white, and yellow patterns. Hot pink tulips are held in the doll’s hands.

“Open it,” he says softly.

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