Page 87 of Notes About Vodka

"Always," I’d replied, thinking about the lab report I still had to finish for chemistry. I wish Laura was in my lab, maybe she can explain the Coulombic Attraction Model better than the TA. "Hopefully I'll be able to afford to keep taking classes full time and actually graduate before I'm 30."

"You will," Mads said.

"Well, I hope so. Ever since Laura introduced me to Skype, my mom won’t stop asking about graduation and when I’m coming back to Russia."

"So, you still haven't told them that you lost your visa?"

Sighing, I replied, "No. They just think that I don't have the time to travel with school and work."

"They believe that? Even though, you are what, 28 now and still in college?"

"Hey, I'm 26 and doing this in a second language. You go finish a four-year degree in Russia and let me know how long it really takes."

"Classic, but I'll pass," Mads said with a smirk. "Okay, finish your drink. We’ve got karaoke to dominate."

Now, I'm stumbling at little bit as we walk down the sidewalk. I can't help but glance up, admiring how the buildings of Manhattan tower over the smaller, worn-out structures on the lower east side of the city.

Off Tune is hidden down an alley with a nondescript, steel door. You wouldn't know there was a karaoke bar inside if you were just passing.

When we arrive, I’m surprised to see Laura is already there, on the stage, singing with another girl who is about the same height as Laura. The girl has light blonde, curly hair that hangs all the way down to her lower back. Laura is wearing a dark blue dress with red and gold stripes that shimmer when she moves, the colors catching the light like ribbons on a wrapped gift. The dress falls just to her knees, and she pairs it with gray ankle boots. The spotlight reflects off the gold threads, making her look like a present come to life. I barely even notice the other girl in jeans and a white sweater.

Swaying back and forth, the two girls have their armswrapped around each other as they perform the classic Shania Twain'sMan, I Feel Like a Woman.

Bathed in the warm glow of the spotlight, Laura's voice is like honey, smooth and captivating. The other girl has a decent voice, but it's Laura who I hear. I can’t take my eyes off her. She spots me in the crowd, and our eyes meet briefly before she and the other girl sing the chorus with a shimmy and hip bump.

Spotting Dante and Isabella fromPianissimoat a long, tall table, Mads and I go over to join them while I wait for Laura to finish the song.

“Hey, boss! Where is everyone?" Mads asks as we sit across from the piano bar's owner and the hostess.

"You two guys are the first here besides Laura and her friends," Isabella excitedly supplies.

Dante leans over, whispering in Isabella's ear. She turns bright red before looking into his dark blue, almost black eyes and says softly.

"My apologies."

Dante grunts.

"My apologies,sir."

Dante nods, then grabs Isabella by the back of her neck before he kisses the hostess. His tongue diving into her mouth as he holds her possessively.

I glance a Mads who just shrugs his shoulders.

Okay, then.

I look back to the stage when I hear the claps of the crowd.

Damn that attention span, I missed the rest of Laura's song.

As she steps off the stage, Laura makes her way over to our table. I stand up, pulling her into a hug. It feels good to hold her.

“You are late, Valerie,” Laura teases as she squeezes me back.

“Fuck, I've missed you. I can't believe you made it, andbefore me. I was afraid I'd have to wait for you all night long," I say as I tuck a piece of Laura's red hair behind her ear.

"Well, here I am!"

"Here you are," I agree with her. I want to kiss her, so I do.

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