Page 29 of Notes About Vodka (Happily Ever After Hangover #1)

I smile to myself. Even with all the chaos, I can’t help but be excited about my future. I’m getting serious about applying for medical school, and I even had a virtual meeting about internships today after I met with Dr. Pam.

The process is intense, but I’m ready.

Volunteering with doctors, working with kids, maybe even shadowing surgery again one day... Life can only go up from here, right?

By the time I get to work that night, I’m already exhausted from the day which culminated in a little bit of piano practice before I left the apartment.

Seeing Val’s face lights me up. He’s standing behind the bar, grinning at me like I’m the best part of his day.

The way his dark brown eyes twinkle whenever I walk in never fails to make my heart flutter.

Before I can even say hello though, Mads sidles up, giving me a side hug before he steers me to the bar.

“Laura, you are not ready for this. Val, pour it up comrade,” Mads tells Val as he pulls two barstools out of our way.

Smiling, Val lines up three highball glasses. Then, he pours a shot of clear liquid from one of the restaurant's water growlers into each.

“Careful,” Mads whispers as the three of us reach for a glass. I take the one in the middle and the guys clink theirs to mine. Mads continues, “Whatever this is that Val made, it might taste like water, but wait for the fire.”

I look Val in the eyes as I bring the glass to my lips. I take a small sip, letting my tongue linger on the edge.

It ’ s... Huh, it ’ s nothing. Just a slightly sweet water.

I toss the rest of the shot back. Mads’s eyes are wide as I place my glass on the counter. Val bursts out laughing.

“What?” I ask.

“Laura, babe,” Val starts, taking just a small sip of his drink. “You are brave, but don’t be mad when Mads warned you...”

“Huh?” I’m still confused, but then I feel it.

Heat unlike anything I’ve ever known bubbles up from my belly. My eyes go wide as tiny beads of sweat being to immediately pebble on my face. This burn, it's unlike anything I’ve ever experienced as I belch dragon flames.

“Fire,” I wheeze out. “I’m on... I'm on fire!”

I start to panic, fanning my mouth with my hand but Val is already placing a cold cup of milk in my other hand, helping me guide the new glass to my lips. How he moves so fast is beyond me as I lean back into his chest.

Mads passes Val a wet cloth that Val then presses to my forehead.

The milk goes down smoothly but Val takes it away too soon. “Slowly, Laura. You just took my ghost honey hot pepper shot, the cream will help, but not if you chug it.”

“I hate you both,” I mumble as I turn into Val’s arms and bury my face into his black dress shirt underneath his suit jacket.

He smells so nice. Like having a bonfire on the beach at night, with the salty oceanside breeze flowing through your hair .

I feel the reverberations of Val’s laughter as he holds me close, stroking my hair.

“I did warn you, Laura,” Mads tells me.

“I know,” I sniffle. “But it was so sweet, it tasted like water and honey.”

Turning back around, Val gives me back my milk. “Sip it, mi lubimiya, slowly, okay?”

Enjoying my new favorite drink, I sip the milk while Val continues, “It's supposed to start sweet. It’s infused with honey as well as these ghost peppers the kitchen sometimes gets from South Carolina. I’ve been working on the blend for about a year now and I think this is it.”

Mads, still sipping his shot, snickers. “Oh, it’s definitely going to be hot with the regulars.”

“Don’t you dare,” I say, slapping Val’s chest gently, “give this to anyone. This is ours.”

Now that the burn is ending, I can taste the honey and sweetness from the pepper again.

Both guys laugh as Val gives me a big hug. “Okay, for you, I’ll keep it a bottle for us. But next time, small sips.”

“Okay, Valerie, okay.”

“Laura?”

“Yeah Val?”

“Enjoy your night,” Val says with a wink.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, see ya later, Valehrey.”

All night the three of us end up sneaking vodka shots whenever Tony’s not looking, giggling like teenagers. I even slip a sip at the piano, allowing the heat to fire my fingers as I sing my own slower rendition of Ed Sheeran’s Shivers .

There is nothing cool about my body though.

As the night wears on, I find myself watching Val more than usual.

His tall, muscular frame, the way his dark hair falls across his forehead, that deep Russian accent that somehow makes even the worst jokes sound charming—it’s hard not to get distracted.

I want to know what his accent sounds like as he. ..

Laura, get a grip on yourself.

Wiping down a stain on my dress from someone spilling their leftover gin and tonic when I was moving away from the piano stage, Val sidles up beside me.

“You look like you’re in deep thought,” he says, leaning casually against the drink station, his dark brown eyes catching mine. Flecks of gold catch the light from the restaurant.

I shrug and give him a small smile. “Just...thinking about everything.”

“Care to share?” He raises an eyebrow, genuinely curious.

I hesitate, then nod, only give him some of what’s been floating around in my brain. “I had a meeting about medical internships today. I’m thinking about applying to a few.”

Val’s face lights up, his smile radiating a pride I’ve never seen before—one Sam never showed me, one my dad never even thought to give.

“That’s incredible, Laura. You’ll crush it. Let me know if you want to read your application letters to me. I’m not the best at grammar but I can try to help make sure your words are convincing.”

His words send warmth coursing through me.

“Thanks, I would really appreciate that,” I say, my smile widening. “Also, I talked to my lawyer this morning. The judge is hearing my divorce case in two weeks.”

His expression shifts, becoming serious but supportive. Yet there’s also fire, heat in his own eyes. “That’s good news, Laura, very good news. I’m glad things are moving forward for you.”

“Me too,” I admit softly. “It’s just...a lot.”

Val reaches out, gently squeezing my hand. “You’re strong, Laura. You’ll get through this.”

We lock eyes, the moment stretching between us, the connection undeniable.

It’s more than attraction—it’s comfort, understanding.

I never expected to find someone like him, not after everything with Sam.

Not after everything growing up back home.

But here Val is, offering a kind of support I haven’t felt in years.

The night passes in a blur of customers, laughter, and more stolen glances at Val.

There’s an ease between us, a rhythm we’ve fallen into.

When closing time rolls around, Val insists on walking me to my scooter.

I mean, it's so far out of the way since I decided to lock it up next to his Mazda in the garage that’s a block away.

Outside, the cool night air hits my skin, refreshing after the stuffy bar and sweet and spicy shots. The streets are quieter now, lit only by the soft glow of the streetlights and the occasional taxi driving by.

“So, what’s next after the divorce is finalized?” Val asks as we walk. He’s holding my hand, keeping us shoulder to shoulder as he intertwines his fingers with mine.

No one’s ever held my hand before.

I like it a lot.

I shrug, a small smile tugging at my lips. “Honestly? I’m not sure. I’ve been so focused on getting through life, the divorce, and living here in New York that I haven’t really thought about what’s next. But I’m hopeful that there must be more.”

Val stops us and turns to face me. His expression is serious, but there’s a softness in his eyes.

Tugging on one of my curls, Val says, “Whatever happens, I want to be there. You’ve got me in your corner, Laura.”

His words take my breath away. Maybe it's the shots. Maybe it's the man in front of me. I want to let myself fall, to trust in this, but the fear is still there, lurking. I’ve been hurt before, shattered in ways I never want to feel again.

But there’s something about Val—something safe, something that makes me want to take the risk because he’s always positive.

A ray of sunshine in the dark new moon that has been my life for the past year.

Maybe, just maybe, he's worth it. Before I can stop myself, I step into him, reaching for him. My body moves on its own, closing the space between us as I lean in for a kiss. My lips press his softly, tentatively, but full of a promise that I’ll give what I can of myself.

When Val finally kisses me back, he takes control as his hands find my hair, tilting my face so he can deepen the kiss. The world seems to melt away.

When we pull back, I see the hunger and sincerity in his gaze.

“One step at a time,” I tell him when he tries to come back for another kiss.

“One step at a time,” he murmurs, agreeing but grabbing my hand with his and holding it as we continue to our vehicles. “We’ll figure it out together.”

I nod, feeling lighter, more hopeful than I have in a long time.

Later that night, back at my apartment, I collapse into my bed. The exhaustion of the day weighs on me, but it's the good kind of tired. The kind that reminds me I’m moving forward, that I’m actually making progress.

Ding!

The sound of my phone pulls me out of my haze, and I groggily reach over to grab it from the nightstand. I squint at the bright screen, and a smile spreads across my face as I see Skipper’s name flash across the display from the group thread we have with Rhea.

Skipper: Hey, we’re throwing a Halloween party this weekend. Tell your Russian he’s invited.

Rhea: Girl, yas!!! Bring him. I love hearing his accent. Plus, I want to bring a plus one and this will make it so much easier.

Skipper: What! Rhea?!?! You have someone?

Rhea: Like you don't Skipper… Come on, Laura, tell us that Val is coming.

I roll onto my back, staring up at the ceiling as I read the message again.

The thought of Val meeting all of my friends warms me, sending a little thrill through my tired body.

It feels like a real step forward, something meaningful.

He sees Rhea in chemistry with me or when she swings by to grab some take-out, but he doesn't actually know my friends like I do.

I want him to know them. I want them to know him.

And maybe, just maybe, I’ll be brave enough for more than just a kiss by then.

My fingers hover over the screen for a moment before I finally type out my response.

Me: You’re on. Val’s coming with me.

He just doesn’t know it yet.

Me: Val... Want to come with me to our Halloween party? Apparently Skip has "ideas"

Not even a minute later, my phone buzzes again.

Val: It would be my pleasure .

I smile, reading his reply over and over. Val’s words make me feel warm, like the world is a little less chaotic when he’s around. I like that he didn’t hesitate. He’s always so sure, so steady. I need that in my life right now.

Me: Oh, my God, y’all, he said it would be his pleasure

Skipper: Oooo, are you two like a thing now? Are we going to get to see some PDA?

Rhea:

I laugh out loud, shaking my head. Trust Skipper to never miss an opportunity to tease me. I start typing a response when another message comes in.

Skipper: Please find out if he has a big

Rhea: Please, Skipper, don’t make it awkward. But also, Laura, spill. Is this serious?

I let out a sigh, my heart fluttering at their curiosity. It’s hard to explain. It feels like we’re on the edge of something serious, but I’m scared to define it. Scared to mess it up.

Me: One step at a time, ya’ll.

Skipper: One step, huh? Sounds like you’ve already taken a few...

Rhea: Ugh, Skipper, leave her alone. But Laura, I think it’s amazing. You deserve someone good.

My chest tightens at Rhea's message, her words touching something deep inside me. She’s always been supportive, but hearing that validation from her makes everything feel a little more real. I feel like maybe, just maybe, I do deserve someone good.

Me: Thanks, Rhea. He really has been great so far.

Skipper: I better see some chemistry! I’m ready to judge this guy.

Rhea: You and your drama, Skipper. Honestly...

I chuckle at their banter, my fingers lingering over the keys before I finally send one more message.

Me: Just don’t scare him off, okay?

Rhea: No promises. ;) But seriously, Laura, we’re happy for you.

I set my phone down, still smiling, and let out a deep breath. The day has been long, and I’m exhausted, but as I settle into my bed, everything suddenly feels lighter. The weight that’s been pressing down on me for so long feels a little less overwhelming.

There’s still so much I have to deal with—school, Sam, the uncertainty of my future—but for the first time in a long time, I feel like it’s all manageable.

Val’s right. One step at a time, and I’ll get through this.

I close my eyes, thinking about what the weekend might bring.

I imagine Val at the party, laughing with my friends, his hand warm around mine.

I imagine his arm around my shoulders as we talk to Rhea, his deep voice making even Skipper smile.

I think about the way his eyes light up when he looks at me, the warmth that fills me whenever I’m around him.

Maybe I’ll even wear that red dress that’s been hanging in the back of my closet, the one I bought on a whim but never had the confidence to actually put on.

I mean, I'm going to be a vampire.

I picture Val’s reaction, the way his eyes might widen just a fraction before he smiles that slow, knowing smile that makes my heart race.

The thought makes me grin, and I pull my blanket tighter around myself, letting the warmth of the moment sink in.

For the first time in a while, I feel like things are moving forward—like I’m not just standing still anymore.

I have friends who care about me, a future that feels possible, and Val by my side.

One step at a time, and maybe I’ll finally be brave enough to take the next one.