Sunday Snippet: Night Watch

Ohio weather istripping on some kind of psychedelic drug right now. We're in our third winterat the moment, so hopefully actual spring will happen in about two weeks. Ofcourse, we'll have to give or take a month because who knows how long the statewill be under the influence.

Had a crazy week ofwork, a mom crisis mode occurrence, and of course the weird weather, whichwreaks havoc on my sinuses.

I didn't get muchtelevision watched this week. Too many things going on to really pay attentionto my shows.

I did get an episodeof Death in Paradise watched and enjoyed it. I hadn't seen any of thisone and ended up really liking the mystery.

I also started anepisode of Elementary and should finish it up today. I love the fundynamic of Holmes and Watson after last week's near miss with Watson's life.

Other than that, Imight be back on track this week, but I won't hold my breath. My brain is doingweird things and having a very hard time staying focused on more than one thingat a time. It's driving me batshit.

That's pretty muchit for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Night Watch, a novellathat explores the dynamic between a couple that keeps their relationship of theQT.

Here's the miniblurb:

Aisley Diehl and Thad Saunders pull a shift of nightwatch on the hangar deck. They're tasked with keeping their junior pilots frombeing drunk and disorderly when they'd much rather be spending the eveningdoing something more enjoyable—under the covers.

And a sneaky peek…

Aisley didn't look up from the comppanel when Thad returned. "Sorry for bailing on you." She marked herplace in the news article on the screen then set the unit aside. "DidHambone give you any trouble?" She hoped not because sticking Thad withthe drunk pilot kind of sucked.

Not that Thad couldn't handle aninebriated soldier. Hell, he'd had his share of dealing with her too many timesto count.

Thad dropped down beside her."Nope. But a word to the wise … he'd totally be down to hit on you if hethought he had half a chance." His lips twitched.

Aisley groaned. "Tell me youdidn't encourage him." She did not want to deal with a puppy-dog pilotprancing around to get her attention.

Thad laughed. "Well, itdepends on how you look at it. When he asked if I thought you'd ever go forhim, I basically said he'd be lucky if you didn't shoot him, so who knows?"He leaned back, propping his elbows on the workstation surface behind them.

Aisley chuckled. "If I'mlucky, he won't remember the conversation at all." And if Thad kept hismouth shut, she'd never have to worry about Hampton making a play.

The guy would be sorelydisappointed. She only went for one pilot, even if no one else knew about herpreference. Except the flyboy himself.

Thad nudged her shoulder. "Notlike you have experience there or anything." His lips turned upward takingthe sting out of the words.

She shrugged. "Yeah, okay. Ikind of do." She slid her gaze toward him. "But I remember theimportant stuff." Like how they were supposed to get together tonightinstead of babysitting. "And if I forget, you always remind me." Hehad her back when it counted.

Unlike her … when she'd left himhanging earlier.

She didn't really want to thinkabout why. But she always got touchy when anyone started making noise about herchemistry with Thad. Mainly because she didn't have that level of anything withanyone else … and the thought freaked her out sometimes.

Thad straightened then leaned hisforearms on his thighs. "Look … about the bullshit couple question … youknow that's the drunk talking, right?" He tilted his head giving her aside-eye. "As in, he'd never have the balls to ask or even think about askingthat specific question if he hadn't been three sheets to the wind." Hehuffed out a laugh.

Aisley rolled her eyes. "Morelike ninety-seven sheets, but who's counting?" She sighed. "Ishouldn't get so twitchy about lame stuff, but I like what we have and reallywant to keep our…" She trailed off a moment. "Whatever this is on thedown-low." Did that sound as stupid as she thought?

Thad's lips twisted in a wry grin."Yeah, I get it. Once we start defining this thing, or if we acknowledgeit to anyone, the whole dynamic changes, right?" He met her gaze. "Whymess with a good thing?"

Aisley gave a quick nod."Right. No one else gets to slap a label on us until we're ready…"She glanced away. "If we ever are." She would never push for more becausebeing official would complicate things.

Thad sat up again. "Do youwant to be? Ready, I mean?"

Aisley had no idea how to answer."Can I get back to you on that?"

Thad narrowed his eyes. "Youcould. But we've got a long night ahead of us. What'll it hurt if we runthrough some future plans?"

Maybe nothing. Maybe everything. Butshe owed him for taking Hambone on alone.

Exhaling slowly, she turned to facehim. "Okay. Where do you see us in six months?"

I'm kind of excitedto see where this story goes. I have a very loose outline of story beats and sofar, the characters are filling in all the blanks.


 

That's it for thisweek. Catch everyone on the flipside.

ML Skye

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Published on March 24, 2024 14:29
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