Page 52 of Notes About Vodka (Happily Ever After Hangover #1)

Chapter Twenty-Eight

LAURA

Seven months later, early May.

Our eyes meet across the room when I walk into the apartment, and for the first time, I feel the weight of what it means to be truly free. I’m no longer shackled to someone I should have ever married in the first place.

The man I see standing in the kitchen, the one who's been beside me all these months, isn’t just someone I’ve been hiding away with—he’s the person I want to share every part of my life with.

I take a step toward him, and before I can even think about what to say, he’s there, pulling me into a kiss, deep and fierce.

A kiss that speaks all the words we’ve been careful not to say beyond the front door, a kiss that promises we can finally be open and honest with the world.

When we break apart, he searches my face, his eyes soft but intent. “He didn’t show up, did he?” Val asks, his voice low, the familiar rasp of concern laced with relief.

“No, he didn’t,” I reply, exhaling fully.

“The judge ruled abandonment. I get to keep the restraining order active for three years, and we can renew it if we need to. Skipper told me he saw a post about him being in south Florida; I don’t think he’ll be back.

” I feel a wave of gratitude for the unexpected finality, as if I’ve been treading water and can finally stand up, breathing easy.

Val’s hand finds mine, his thumb tracing over my knuckles. “Good. I’m glad it’s over,” he says, his voice steady, his eyes never leaving mine. “You deserve better than anything he ever put you through.”

I nod, feeling the words settle deep inside me.

We’ve been inseparable since Thanksgiving, and Val’s given me more love and encouragement than I ever thought possible.

We survived chemistry as well as most of the past semester’s classes together.

I took molecular genetics and made an A because of Val’s intense notes.

When I used my calculator for the same exam he had to take the semester before, I giggled.

Silly Russian. When did you do this?

He had marked his name next to mine and then crossed out my maiden name and wrote his under it instead.

Since he moved in with Skipper, Rhea, and myself, it’s like he’s redefined what it means to be in a relationship, to be genuinely cared for.

Standing here with him now, I feel like I’m shedding layers of past hurts, of self-doubt.

It’s not just about freedom from Sam or the relief of the divorce.

It’s about realizing I can be loved the way I’ve always wanted, the way I never thought I could be.

“I’m finally divorced,” I say, letting the words out slowly. I smile, glancing up at him, letting the gravity of it all hit me. “Val, I’m actually free. And temporarily single? ”

I waggle my eyebrows and wink up at him, “I can finally make this official with you.”

He wraps me up in his arms, holding me so close I can hear his heartbeat, steady and reassuring. He kisses my forehead softly, lingering there, like he’s savoring this moment as much as I am.

“I love you so much, Laura,” he murmurs, his lips brushing against my hair. “And you are so not single. You have been mine since you first ensnared me with your voice.”

His words fill me with a warmth I’ve never known. The past year has been a whirlwind and feeling trapped in my own life, but right here, wrapped in Val’s arms, that all fades.

How did I get so lucky? I thought I lost my happily ever after with Sam, but that wasn’t love. This… This is love.

“I love you, too,” I whisper, letting my fingers run through his hair, memorizing every inch of him as if I hadn’t spent months doing just that in stolen moments.

We were very careful to remain professional at Pianissimo and even in class.

Never posting pictures of our adventures.

After the hockey night, I explained my concerns to Val about Sam using our relationship against us and he agreed. Plus, I think we both like our secrets.

There’s no rush or hesitation now; I don’t have to hold back, to worry someone might catch us or judge us. This is ours, and we get to decide how it unfolds. “Val, let’s make this Facebook official!”

We laugh, both of us pulling out our phones and finally changing our relationship status.

Immediately, pings of congratulations come from our friends and a few people at work, like Mads, Dante, and Isabella. They have all known our situation and have been more than supportive.

Roqui left for another show in Vegas earlier this Spring so it surprises me that she’s one of the first people to love the relationship change.

We never truly got along even though she would tell people we were great friends.

If I was around, I would just nod, preferring to decrease the friction I always felt when she was around.

Putting our phones away, Val and I stand for what feels like forever, just breathing each other in. The weight of the past lifts, and I feel ready for whatever comes next. Because with Val, the future isn’t some unknown force I’m afraid of—it’s a promise, one I finally believe in.

Two weeks later…

"Val," I start, my voice a little shaky as I put down my coffee cup and turn to him across the kitchen table. He’s absorbed in his laptop, but he pauses, sensing something serious in my tone. His brow furrows as he glances up, and I can see that mix of concern and maybe even a touch of dread.

"Yeah?" he says cautiously, closing the laptop partway.

I’m sharing with nervous anticipation. There’s no way, but the letter is right here, in my hands.

"I got accepted into a medical internship program," I say, taking a deep breath. "It’s the one in Baltimore where I can work in a lab while studying. But, fudge, Val. It starts next week…"

There’s a flicker in his eyes—a reaction, quick but unmistakable. His expression hardens for just a second, then shifts to something that’s a mix of surprise and concern. "Baltimore?" he repeats, and I can hear the tension in his voice. "How long?"

"Six weeks," I tell him, trying to keep my tone even. “It’s a huge opportunity, Val. This could be my path forward, something I’ve worked on for a long time. It may be my ticket into medical school next year. Read this, they already have an apartment for me in student housing with a meal plan. I’ll be paid every three weeks and expected to work in a lab for at least two-thirds the time.

I’ll get to rotate through two different labs, Val. This is, oh my goodness.”

I was wait-listed for this program, but now that it can be a reality. All of the possibilities I could have.

Being a non-traditional undergraduate student has made it difficult to get into medical school.

Doesn’t help that my GPA is slowly improving even though I’ve keep all A’s at NYU and scored very well on the practice MCAT back in March.

This internship could help me go directly into medical school, or at least get me into a master’s program that leads into medical school.

Val lets out a slow breath, his hand reaching across the table for mine.

His fingers are warm, threading through mine, but his grip feels tighter than usual.

"We just moved in together to a new place, last week. It’s the first time we will be without roommates, Laura.

I thought we were supposed to be figuring out our new life together here, not preparing for you to leave.

" His voice is calm, but there’s something steely under it, something that hints at the resentment brewing beneath the surface.

He’s right though.

Skipper left for Dallas for a job opportunity with a new airline company last month right before the divorce was finalized.

Rhea met this great guy last fall, Sebastian, and he is escorting her around the world now that she is on a break from classes.

Last time I checked, they were in Indonesia teaching local students English.

I didn’t even realize she actually wanted to be an educator until she came running in with the flight tickets and eyes full of excitement.

I squeeze his hand, trying to steady him, steady myself. "I know," I say softly, "but this is crucial for my future, our future. You can come visit. Baltimore’s not that far. You can drive, you can even take the train."

“Not that far?” he echoes, a humorless chuckle escaping him. “So you’re going to quit Pianissimo , leave for six weeks, and just…what? We live off love letters and weekend visits? Will you be even free on the weekends if you are working? Why are you doing this to me Laura?”

I pull my hand back, feeling a prickle of defensiveness.

"I’m not doing this to you, Val. This is an opportunity I’ve earned.

And yes, I’ll quit Pianissimo ; I’ve been working there for almost a year, and it's time to focus on my career. Maybe you should move on as well. You are going to graduate at the same time as me, but what are your plans afterwards? You haven’t even started to make a business plan for your restaurant idea, Blini, Blini, Blini . "

"So, you’re just leaving me to foot the bills while you chase this dream, right? You’re asking me to hold down everything here while you go play intern in another city?" His words come out sharper than he probably intended, and I can feel the sting in each one.

"Hold down everything?" I repeat, unable to keep the edge out of my voice. "Since when is supporting each other’s careers just ‘holding down everything’? You knew this was what I wanted from the beginning, Val. I’ve never been secretive about that. And I make plenty of money from Pianissimo and didn’t you listen, this internship is going to pay.

It’s just not immediate like tips from playing piano and waiting tables. "