Page 44 of Notes About Vodka (Happily Ever After Hangover #1)

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.

Even though she’s been back at Pianissimo for over 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 I used 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.

I knew I should have ignored everything she was saying because I saw red when she followed up with a sickening punch line, “Oh, Laura, you should know. I’m talking about Val, after all.

I’m sure you have enjoyed his delightful tongue by now.

I mean, he was obsessed with me, but it looks like it’s your turn. ”

The present rushes in once more.

Maybe it’s the vodka martinis and I’m drunk.

Maybe it is jealousy, but something inside me snaps.

Ever since that story, I feel like she parades herself in front of Val when I’m around. Trying to gauge some sort of reaction from him, from me.

I march over, my patience snapping. “If you want Val, fine, he’s yours,” I snap, my voice louder than I intended.

I’m so mad I really don’t know what I’m saying.

Roqui smirks, unfazed. “By all means, Laura,” she drags out my name, “I don’t know what you mean, I don’t want…Val.”

“Then back off. Val is my boyfriend and this is rude of you to drape yourself over him all night on my birthday!”

The room goes quiet, and Val steps in quickly. “Laura, I’m sorry,” he says, looking genuinely remorseful. “I thought you were friends.”

I glare at Roqui, my anger still simmering. “Friends? We were never friends. I’ve always just been polite because you asked me to be nice. And how can you not see it, she’s been making moves on you right in front of me. Not just tonight, but every night you two are behind the bar!”

Roqui rolls her eyes. “Relax, Laura. I’m not interested in Val. I’ve moved on. I told you.”

I don’t believe her, and I’m about to say more when Val gently pulls me aside. “Laura, please. Let’s not ruin your birthday. Didn’t we agree to that earlier when I mentioned, other thoughts?”

I take a deep breath, trying to calm down. He’s right. After he brought up Sam and I freaked out because this divorce is taking forever, I asked him to drop the argument and he did. I can do the same. Tomorrow, he can explain Roqui.

Unless I smack her… Okay, I may want to, but I would never. Maybe…

This is supposed to be a happy occasion. “Fine. But she needs to keep her distance.”

Val nods, understanding. “I’ll talk to her. Tell her to leave me alone for real. I promise.”

The party resumes, but there’s an underlying tension in the air.

I try to focus on my friends, on Skipper’s jokes and Rhea’s laughter, even Mads quiet tallness as he keeps supplying water alongside our next vodka shots.

But my eyes keep darting to Roqui, who now keeps her distance, a smug smile playing on her lips.

The night eventually winds down, and friends start to leave, saying their goodbyes. I’m getting ready to pay my tab for the food we snacked on between Val’s martinis when he walks up behind me.

“I’m sorry about tonight,” he says, wrapping his arms around me from behind. “And put that card away, I already took care of everything.”

I lean into his embrace, feeling the tension slowly melt away. “Thank you. And I’m sorry, too. I just don’t like her being around you. I’ve…never felt this type of jealousy even though I know I shouldn’t. You can’t really be mine, not yet at least.”

“Stop that,” Val spins me in his arms, “I understand you are in a weird place with Sam and I’m sorry I brought it up tonight, but I’ll make sure Roqui knows her place,” he reassures me, kissing my temple.

“You, are mine. I am already yours. Maybe it’s the vodka and I’m drunk, but I’m intoxicated by YOU, LAURA, YOU.

I will tell you every time you need to hear this, but I knew the moment I heard your voice that I was entrapped. ”

We stand there for a moment, holding each other, the city outside our window a constant, comforting presence. Despite the drama, I feel a sense of peace knowing Val and I are on the same page; he wants me just as much as I want to give into my wanting of him.

Skipper, Rhea, Val, and I are the last at The Blue Key after we pay our check.

We take a final moment to relight the candles on the remainder of my birthday cake. Who needs a to-go box when it’s mostly devoured.

We blow out the flames together. I smile around at my two best friends and maybe third who could be so much more.

I make a silent wish for the year ahead – for love, for peace, and for fewer surprises like Roqui and my mother.

I wish for the nightmare called Sam to finally conclude.

I wish for my family back home. As Val squeezes my hand, as the candle smoke circles into the air above I sigh, leaning back into this man who wants to be my rock, my foundation.