Page 55 of Notes About Vodka (Happily Ever After Hangover #1)

Chapter Thirty

LAURA

"Some nights, the only thing that understands the ache in my chest is a shot of vodka."

Two weeks later…

After heading home for a few days to see my family back in Hurtsboro and then Wilks, Florida, I quickly left the panhandle and moved into my temporary apartment in Baltimore.

I only took what was needed for orientation and the first few days. I can always buy a few more clothes for six weeks and other items that I need.

Val sends money to my accounts every week, and I pay all the bills for both of us. It’s getting easier now that the world is heading to digital payment methods. Yet Val questions constantly if this was paid, or did this come in from my scholarship or pay-slips.

Val, how did we get here? It ’ s like we are already married.

Luckily, I’ve already paid my rent through the summer for the apartment I share with Val back in NYC and the apartment in Maryland is covered by the internship. So now we just need to maintain and sustain.

And thankfully I only spent a little money at home. So it’s only saving from here! See Val, don’t stress about the bills!

Being a work-a-holic has paid off. Time has passed fast.

The money and tips at Pianissimo were great, and since I never have time to spend my money, I’ve saved up a lot. This internship will pay enough for my tuition in the fall and hopefully carry me over until I get paid for being a chemistry teaching assistant.

It feels good to have a strong financial foundation. It’s not perfect, but it’s a step towards independence from my grandparents.

Especially since they are paying for my divorce from Sam and pretty much paid for my entire move from Alabama to New York.

Dada was so proud of me that I am standing on my own and getting Sam out of my life.

He’s interested in my relationship with Val and I promised to bring my Russian man home for everyone to meet him after the internship.

It also helps that Skipper has been flying back and forth with his new steward boyfriend as he learns the ropes of a career in the sky from Dallas.

They find the best deals or cheap open seats on flights.

It was very convenient to have their help going from NYC, home to Alabama, then back up to Baltimore from Florida.

But honestly, I’d rather take the train.

It’s fun, I love the noises of the wheels rolling on the tracks, and they serve adult beverages in the dining cart.

Plus flight anxiety is a real thing. I read a book once about a girl from Puerto Rico who moved to Bon Secour, Alabama.

Bianca’s my spirit animal because it was literally my anxiety channeled into a story .

Or Val just gets over his shit and drive down to pick me up… then we could figure out what ’ s going on in his head—together…

After he explicitly stated his feelings on me leaving for Baltimore, I’m not sure where we stand right now. He’s texted a lot and we’ve even talked a few times on the phone, but it feels forced.

I get more animation from the photos of food and Central Park than I do that man. He’s so frustrating.

I’ve even tried to get Val to sexy talk with me at night, but after a few failed attempts and him telling me it makes him uncomfortable, I gave up. I’m not even in the mood these days to take care of business on my own.

It ’ s just…ugh. Val ’ s been great, and I know I love him, but what is this? We support each other and then something good happens so we get jealous?

Ugh, the man is going to make me crazy.

Half way through my internship, I’m finally back home in NYC for a quick weekend from Baltimore.

It’s Val’s birthday and he wants to keep it low key. He really just wanted Skipper and I to check out the new steakhouse restaurant, the City Tavern, where Val just started bartending.

After I left Pianissimo , Val couldn’t stay either. So, a few weeks of searching, he found this new upscale place and invited us to come out to enjoy dinner on him.

I haven’t seen Val yet, he was already at work when Skip and I got to the apartment. Quickly, the two of us cleaned up, acting silly as we dressed up far too nicely. But it felt good, making myself look beautiful for Val .

I really want to figure out where we stand in this relationship because as I look around our home, there’s already so much of us.

Pictures from Brighton Beach and Central Park. Trinkets from shopping and adventures around the city. The shelf of turtles and nesting dolls in the corner over our couch where Val and I fucked so many times.

A shiver runs up my spine at the memory. We would be watching TV when he would remove my leggings, panties, whatever was covering me up, pull me on top of his lap before sliding deep inside me. I’d ride him for the rest of the evening until finally we’d combust.

Maybe now that we ’ ve had some time apart, Val and I can talk. I ’ m only going to be gone for another three weeks. Certainly, it can ’ t be that bad.

As Skipper and I step into City Tavern, a wave of warmth and sophistication envelops us.

It’s the first time I've been back in weeks, the first night I get to see Val since everything with my internship—and I can feel the excitement building in my chest. The air is thick with the aroma of grilled steaks and aged whisky, and I can’t help but feel a little out of place, like I’m stepping into Val’s new world.

But there’s also that undercurrent of guilt.

My internship, the time away—it’s been a lot for both of us.

We settle into a cozy corner booth, where soft candlelight flickers over the dark wood table.

Skipper wastes no time, ordering himself a cocktail, and I ask for a glass of red wine to calm my nerves.

As we wait, I can’t shake the feeling of tension mixed with happiness, a constant swirl since I got back.

Finally, I see Val weaving through the tables. His dark hair catches the light, his face brightening when he spots us. My heart races as he walks over, and I’m struck by how good he looks, so at home in his element.

Val makes his way to our table, flashing a wide grin as he gestures to the two people by his side. “Laura, Skipper, meet my partners in crime,” he says. “This is Amelia and Dot.”

Dot, a lanky tall white guy with a quick smile and very curly dark black hair and bright blue eyes, gives us a friendly wave.

Amelia steps forward; petite, dirty blonde hair, she has a slight drawl in her voice.

“Well, hi there! Val says you're from Alabama, well I’m from Georgia,” she says with a grin.

“I gotta say, I didn’t expect to be working with anyone like Val up here.

This guy could charm the peaches right off a Georgia tree. ”

“Only if the peaches agreed to it,” Val quips, winking.

Well, Val’s in a really good mood.

“Oh, they’d agree alright,” Skipper pipes up, laughing as he raises his glass. “By the way, Amelia, is he as bossy with you guys as he is with us outside of work?”

Amelia laughs, nudging Val. “You know, he’s a stickler, but we keep him grounded. We all know the real secret is that he’s a big ol’ Russian softie. He is constantly telling us about you and him, by the way.”

What the fuck?

I’m looking at my best friend and Val’s co-workers. Val talks to them about me and himself? I can barely get him to open up to me…

Dot chimes in, “And believe it or not, he makes a mean cup of coffee. Keeps us all fueled on long shifts.” He grins, adjusting his cap.

“Oh, yeah, Val’s famous coffee.” I laugh, rolling my eyes. “He even has a technique for stirring it, says it’s ‘secret family knowledge’.”

“Now, now, Laura,” Val teases, giving me a look, “don’t go spilling all my trade secrets. I need to maintain some mystery here. ”

Dot chuckles, shaking his head. “This guy? He’s all about the mystery. But honestly, he’s a solid guy to work with, doesn’t leave you hanging when it gets crazy back there.”

“Yeah, you lucked out with this one,” Amelia adds, giving me a smile. “We all did, really.”

It’s heartwarming, hearing his coworkers talk about him like this.

I think…

Skipper raises an eyebrow, smirking. “Guess we have to share him, huh?”

Val laughs, shaking his head. “Only while I’m clocked in. Outside of that, Laura is the only one to have exclusive rights.” He gives me a smile, and I can’t help but feel a swell of pride.

I try to laugh as I reply, “Yeah, yeah, yeah, now feed me, your woman is hungry.”

Skipper and I both order steak, with mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus.

Val surprises us with two shots of vodka, winking before setting down a warm crab dip that smells divine.

Throughout the evening, he brings a few extra treats—like chocolate torte with raspberry sauce, and a White Russian for me, an adult milkshake for Skipper.

As Val leans in to pluck the cherry from my drink, Jacob, his boss, strides over with a wide grin and a hearty handshake, clapping Val on the back.

He’s a broad-shouldered guy with a salt-and-pepper beard, the kind of person whose laugh fills the whole room.

He glances at Skipper and me, then nods approvingly.

“So, you’re the famous Laura,” Jacob says with a wink, “and I guess you must be Skipper, I assume. It’s about time I met Val’s inner circle! This man talks about you two all the time. I’m Jacob, owner, manager, unofficial therapist, and guy who keeps Val out of trouble.”

“Doesn’t look like you’re keeping him out of trouble very well,” Skipper says with a grin, nodding at the second round of vodka shots Val just brought us.

“Touché,” Jacob chuckles. “That’s probably true, but he’s too charming to fire, so what can I do?” He waves his hand, half-joking. “The customers love him, the staff practically worships him, and—believe me—I’m just waiting for the day he tries to negotiate for a cut of the profits.”

Val laughs, giving Jacob a playful shove.

“I was gonna ask about that, actually,” he says, playing along. “The way I see it, with my charm, you’re practically doubling your customer base.”