Sunday Snippet: Perfect Conversation

I can't believewe're at the end of June already. It's crazy how fast time is flying right now.Probably because of the whole respiratory yuck that ate up most of the month.Thankfully, that seems to have finally run its course. Feeling so much betternow.

Had a super busywork week. Playing catch-up isn't my favorite thing on the planet. But I didfinish a proofread and made solid progress on the other two projects on myplate.

Had a very limitedviewing schedule this week, mainly because I really wanted to make as much of adent as possible in my work. I had my usual background comfort shows playing inthe background with Perry Mason and Midsomer Murders. I love thechannels dedicated to one show, which is how I get Midsomer whenever Iwant. And Perry Mason is easy to find on the classic TV channels.

I did catch an episodeof Best in Paradise and enjoyed revisiting how JP got reacquainted withRosie. I'm enjoying the cast member introductions to each episode.

I also watched thefirst of a two-part Death in Paradise. I'd seen a bit of the episodebefore and knew what to expect but it's very powerful to watch from the beginning.Looking forward to the second part this week.

I started anepisode of Elementary and didn't make it all the way through. I'llfinish that one up later tonight.

And that's prettymuch it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from PerfectConversation, a novella that explores a reunion between two charactersmeant to be together … if they get their timing right.

Here's theminiblurb:

Gigi Morse runs away from Scott Alamead because she doesn'twant to risk losing him. But when she returns, a very different Scott greetsher, and Gigi realizes she's right back on the hot seat.

And a sneaky peek…

Gigi watched Scott's retreat andcouldn’t resist one last salvo. “MmmHmm. At least it'll be a good one.” Shechecked to make sure he’d rounded the corner, before adding a sarcasticallywhispered, “Ooo-kay then.” She figured Scott would attempt totalk after they'd argued earlier. But their conversation had not gone anywhereclose to the way she expected. Instead of helping her settle the swirl ofthoughts in her head, the discussion pretty much kicked them up into furtherchaos. Doesn't that just suck?She dropped down to the floor andsettled back against the bench in the gym where he'd tracked her down. Reachingover, she picked up a bossa ball and let its weight settle in her hand. Sheconsidered getting up and doing a quick run through the maze to work off someof the frazzled feeling, but honestly didn't have the stamina to do it at themoment. Spinning the ball around in herhands she gave it a quick toss at the wall opposite her feet. Scott Alameadloves me. Of course she knew that. But the way he said it made it differentthis time.She caught the ball and bounced itagain. She’d made a promise to someone else. A rebel fighter who'd put his asson the line for her.Bounce.

How was she supposed to respond to Scott'sdeclaration?Catch; bounce.

And how the hell was she going toget back to Columba to keep her promise?Catch, hold; bounce. Back and forth.

She’d missed a hell of a lot whileshe’d been gone … not the least of which happened to be Scott's apparent one-eighty.Catch; hold.

Mutiny? Choosing the minister of defenseabove watching over the old man? Breaking his parole to leave with the minister?

Emphatic bounce.

Not that she would have donedifferently with Flynn in charge, probably sooner.Catch. Grin. The man was an utter moron.

Deepbreath.

How am I supposed to deal with thisScott?Bounce.

The one who kissed her because he'dbeen happy to see her?Catch; bounce.

The one who had no scathingcomeback when she called him on his own actions?Catch, hold; hard bounce.

The ball hit the wall and bouncedtwice back to her. She wanted this Scott … hell, she wanted the other one also,truth be told. Maybe they'd needed the forced break of her tearing off to Columbato gain some perspective, deal with some issues. Snort. Right. Bounce.

If gaining perspective meanthooking up with a hot guy and promising to return for him, she'd be dead on themoney.Catch; hold.

But what the hell? She and Scotthad totally parted on nasty terms. How could she know he’d pull the rug outfrom under her?She hefted the ball really hard onthat thought. It hit the wall, glanced off a light fixture, and bounced out ofher reach.Gigi let the ball go, her thoughtstumbling in her head.She’d screwed up by sleeping with Radek,never dreaming for the reaction Scott had. But she figured with him the gaff wouldbe … screw up, no second chances, game over. So … she jumped away on theminister's orders, which had been easier than trying to deal with both Scottand his uncle Minton at the same time.How wrong I was. She got to deal with a blondamazon out for blood, an almost perfect copy of a fellow pilot, finding Harry—heroldest friend next to Scott—and hooking up with Kurt. Primo mistake number two.

Oh … and yeah … she'd been knifedin the gut and the universe knew what else at the hands of the enemy. Is itany wonder I latched on to Kurt so hard? Sought comfort and peace of mindafter being beaten back?She'd thought she lost Minton and Scottin one fell swoop and didn't think she'd ever get back to their side of theline. But she had made it home.And she hadn’t lost Scott … not if his welcome and friendly declaration couldbe believed. It's all right there in front of me. Waiting. Could she reach out and grab it? She’d made a promise to Kurt, andshe’d keep it … but not for the original reason.He's a good guy, but he isn’t Scott.

And she wanted Scott.And there she had it. Decisionmade.Gigi laughed and stood, walkingover to snag the ball from the floor. She needed to find Scott and take him upon his offer to talk. A grin snuck over her face and as she doubted hisdefinition would match hers.

I'm quite happywith how this scene came together even if I might need to do some judicioustrimming. I love a good internal monologue.

 

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

ML Skye