Sunday Snippet: The Zipper Incident

Yeah, rough week.The cold, virus, some other kind of ick from the last post definitely kicked myass this week. I did manage one of my client calls but had to reschedule theother one. I had no voice and couldn't breathe through all the congestion.Bleh.

The good news isI'm feeling much better. I think everything kind of broke on Friday. I slept agood portion of the day on Saturday. And my head doesn't feel like it weighsninety pounds anymore.

I got very littleaccomplished on my work projects last week. I got some reading done but I'll probablyreview to make sure I didn't miss anything in my notes. I didn't get a lot ofediting completed mainly because I feared missing important things. Back towork this week at double-time.

I had an okayviewing week. Very nice to have something on in the background while I tried tofocus on the few things I managed to work on.

Started with MissFisher's Murder Mysteries. I loved this episode because it marked the firsttime Jack owned his feelings for Phryne. I also love that he didn't evenconsider the possibility of trying to use his feelings to change her or ask herto be something she isn't. That's one of the reasons this show holds such a bigplace in my heart.

Caught another episodeof Foyle's War. I remembered this one and appreciated how it didn't shyaway from there being good and bad people and things at the beginning of thewar in England.

Watched another episodeof Death in Paradise. I'm warming up to Wilson and I'm enjoying howNaomi is finding her footing with him. I also love Rose and ability to stumble ontoexactly what they need for the case. I'm looking forward to Wilson and Naomidigging into his mother's death, which does appear to be more than a tragicaccident.

Enjoyed anotherepisode of Poirot. I like it when the mystery isn't a murder, but it'sstill twisted and tricky. And I love Hastings. Just saying.

Caught anotherepisode of Elementary. It's kind of nice to see Sherlock interested insomeone so neurodivergent. Did seem weird that Joan went middle-school student onthe idea, but maybe the writers were trying to show their progression? I likedthe mystery with this one.

Watched another BatmanBeyond. I actually didn't remember this episode so it was nice to dive intoa new-to-me story.

Enjoyed anotherepisode of Lower Decks. I might be past the hump on the annoying factor.Great to see Boimler back with the crew and I love the reason for it. I trulydo enjoy the callbacks to previous series and episodes. That's so much fun.

Finished up the episodeof Reacher I started last week. I'm excited to see what this seasonbrings. I'm also trying to remember that two plus years have passed since thelast time Reacher and Neaghly were together.

That's it for thelife update this week. Tonight's post is from The Zipper Incident, a sexyshort that nudges a couple in the right direction.

Here's theminiblurb:

Layne Donaker makes a grave error when she mistakenlyuses a super adhesive on Hyde Scarlotti's zippers—all of them, including hisflight suit. Hyde is beyond done with her stupid pranks and calls her out infront of the entire crew, which Layne doesn't take kindly.

And a sneaky peek…

Entering the brig cell, Layneflexed her jaw, trying to soothe the stinging burn from the punch."Clearly, someone doesn't know how to label things correctly." Ormaybe you misread the bottle because you were too drunk…She ruthlessly squashed herinternal voice.She stomped over to the bunk andslumped down, bracing her shoulders on the wall.Hyde followed her inside and shejerked up to a sitting position. "What the hell? Why can't you take numbertwo?" She didn't need to share space with him right now.Hyde only arched his brows.Lance Corporal Janz Mayhew answeredher question. "Following orders, Ensign. Apparently, the CO thinks ifyou're going to act like children, he'll put you in timeout until you can learnto use your words instead of throwing punches." He locked the door andturned toward the watch station, whistling a peppy tune.Layne sighed. "Perfect."But not surprising … nothing else had gone right since yesterday's promotioncelebration.Hyde nudged her knee. "Scootand make room."She frowned. "Why shouldI?"He gave her a long stare. "Whyshouldn't you? Do you see anyplace else to sit?"Her gaze flicked toward the toilet.If he wanted to have a seat…Hyde growled. "Don't even.Move your ass down." He sat on the very edge and started edging closer toher.Layne huffed out a breath."Fine. Whatever." She slid down almost to the other edge of the bunk.Hyde leaned back, his head restingon the wall. Layne shot him a sideways glance. She should probably apologize yetcouldn't quite put one together. Guilt licked at her conscience, but she hadn'tmeant to completely ruin his stuff. Just her luck when one of her pranks wentcompletely off the rails, it landed on Hyde … the last person she really wantedto harm.Even if he made her angry.A few minutes later, Hyde angledhis head toward her. "Why are you so out of control? What's your problem?"His voice held no censure, only curiosity.Layne shrugged. "I don't havea problem." Not one she wanted to share at the moment.Hyde tsked. "Yeah, youdo." He sat up and turned to the side. "It's being passed over forpromotion, right?"She could own that one. "Alittle. Even though I get it. I'm not nearly as by the book as you are."And probably never would be.Hyde nodded. "True. But whytarget me?" He held her gaze. "Your time will come." He didn'thave any doubt in his tone.And didn't that turn the lick ofguilt into a pretty strong flame? He truly believed she'd move up the ranksjust like him. And, yeah, she would. Eventually.But none of that actually concernedher. Not much anyway. Hyde moving on without her did.Ugh … she had to be honest, even ifshe feared saying the words aloud.She got up and paced the floor."I don't know. Maybe because I don't want you to forget me." Or leaveher behind.Hyde rolled his eyes. "Asif." He snorted.She stopped and threw a hand out."See … I knew you wouldn't understand." And she really didn't want toexplain.Because she only this momentrealized how much the thought of losing him terrified her.

Pretty happy withhow this story is coming together. I love it when feelings finally hit hard formy characters.

 

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

ML Skye