Sunday Snippet: Top Honors

Very intense and bizarre weather this past week. We had a significant warm up, which melted a lot of the snow. Then we had a ton of rain followed by high water and flooding. To top it off, the temperatures dropped again into the teens and twenties and we got more icy rain and snow. Seriously, it's crazy.

Had a very busy work week with projects landing in my inbox. I'm happy to have the work flowing and keeping me busy. Oddly, my writing time is shorter but I'm getting a lot done.

Had a solid week of television viewing. Introduced a couple of additional shows and I'll be adding a new one next week.

Caught two episodes of Snoopy in Space: The Search for Life and finished up the first season. I'll start season two this week.

Started a new two-part Queens of Mystery and rather enjoyed the episode. I love the aunts and I'm starting to really enjoy the secondary characters. Matilda is such a great character even if she frustrates me sometimes.

Finished up the second half of Silent Witness's opening for season sixteen. Started a new two-parter and enjoyed it.

Watched three episodes of Classic Who. I should finish the arc up this week and move on to the next one.

Caught two more episodes of The Alaska Triangle. I have so much fun watching this show. I really love the haunted places and mysterious forces vignettes.

Enjoyed two episodes of The Muppets. The show has really grown on me even if it'll never replace the original in my mind.

Watched two more episodes of Harrow. I'm quite enamored with this show and I hope things play out the way I'm expecting them to. There's a twist I didn't quite expect and I love it and it also makes me think things will fall where I think they're going to. I can't wait to find out.

Caught another episode of Peak Practice and even though I knew what to expect, the death did not play the way I thought it would. I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing yet.

Enjoyed two more MasterClass lessons with Es Devlin. She discussed scale and architecture along with storytelling with light. The light lesson fascinated me. I'm a sucker for well-lit—not to be confused with brightly lit—settings. I'm glad I dropped into this class.

Watched two episodes of Paranoid. I'm quite taken with this show. I love the intrigue and mystery and the dynamic of the forming relationships. I think this one might end up with something of a gotcha and I'm quietly waiting with anticipation to see if I'm right.

Caught two episodes of Classic Rugrats. One of my favorites, "Meet the Carmichaels," gave me some happy joy for the week. This show fills me with so much nostalgia.

Finished up season three of Chicago Med and started season four. A lot went down on the three finale. I'm still trying to wrap my head around where everyone currently is in the opening of four.

I watched the last available episode of The Brokenwood Mysteries. I have two behind-the-scenes specials to watch and then I'll have to impatiently wait for anything new.

Finished up an older episode of Blue Heelers. I'll be adding more of these to my weekly lineup. Looking forward to getting back into this one.

Also caught another episode of Star Trek: Discovery. Man, this series really brings a great cast of characters together. I'm never bored and I'm glad I'm watching the second season right now because I'm getting to know Pike at the best possible time with the new Trek arriving soon. I can't wait.

That's pretty much it for this week's viewing update. Tonight's post is from Top Honors, a novella that got a start with a writing community prompt.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Katie Beal and Hilton Hillion have a very public breakup after she fails him from basic flight. Two years later, Forbes Hillion bumps into her at Hilt's graduation from the academy and sparks fly, but Katie won't go down the same road again … after all, her career can't withstand another setback from Forbes's dad.

And a sneaky peek…

Katie got out of the shower and wrapped a towel around her head. "Another boring night at home." She picked up her wine and took a sip.

A series of knocks sounded on her door and she shrugged into her robe, figuring her neighbor, Mrs. Hanzen, might have a package for Katie. Mrs. H. usually stopped by around this time of night. Katie grabbed her glass and crossed through her apartment to answer. Shocked filled her to find Forbes on the other side, holding takeout bags from the restaurant she'd mentioned.

Opening the door a crack, she kept her voice low. "What are you doing here?" She tamped down the wild flutter in her stomach.

He waved the food and grinned. "I had dinner plans with a gorgeous woman, but she stood me up." He sobered. "And I'm not above asking why?" A tiny thread of hurt entered his gaze.

The flutter edged into a thrum.

This is a bad idea waiting to happen. Again.

But she couldn't resist. Or leave him standing outside.

Katie let him in, but tightened her robe more securely around her and got rid of the towel on her head. Pointing to her living room, she cleared off the coffee table and Forbes opened the bags and handed an entrée to her. The gorgeous smell of alfredo sauce and parmesan filled her nostrils. She moaned with delight.

Forbes gave her a wide smile but didn't comment. He settled on the chair perpendicular to the couch and they dug into the food. Forbes filled her in on what he'd been doing the past couple of years.

She didn't have much to contribute, her career at a standstill. "You're pretty much looking at how I spend my weekends." Alone in a bathrobe.

He finished off his dinner. "Which brings begs the question of why we're here instead out at the restaurant." He relaxed into the cushion of the chair, looking like he belonged there.

Katie shrugged then explained. "I'm not sure I can do any more drama with your dad." She purposefully kept a low profile to stay off the admiral's radar.

Forbes lifted his chin. "Glad you mentioned him. Care to fill me in?" He didn't have to tell her he'd been warned off … his tone spoke volumes.

She sighed. "Well, the biggest change for me is work. I'm no longer an instructor." She also couldn't seem to get transfers approved, but she didn't share that piece of information. "I've been passed over twice for a bump in rank even though my qualifications and scores were more than adequate." A promotion would almost guarantee a new post, which would put her out of Walsh's reach.

Forbes blinked with astonishment. "I'm flabbergasted. I'm sorry my dad's such an ass."

She couldn't quite bring herself to agree with the assessment. "I wouldn't go that far, but I've kept myself in check to avoid further setbacks."

Forbes shook his head. "Look, he has no business mucking up you career." He leaned forward. "He made a rash decision and won't back down because he never does."

Katie shrugged. "I'm the one who got involved with your brother when he was a student. Not the best choice." She huffed out a breath.

Understatement of the year.

Forbes snorted. "The way I see it. You didn't stand a chance. Hilt is a veritable charm factory. The stuff all but oozes out of his pores." He rolled his eyes. "I've seen more than few people succumb to my brother. You're not at fault, especially since you guys ended things, for one. And secondly, you did what you needed to and failed him."

Her lips curved. "Both at his request, too." In hindsight, she might have made the breakup a little less public.

Forbes smirked. "Yeah, he worked the angles there. Took some of the heat off him with the old man." He shook his head. "He had no idea the price you'd pay for that."

She nodded. "Yeah, I know. And he doesn't need to be privy to that information. He's got a good start in a field he'll excel in." She honestly didn't begrudge Hilton anything.

Forbes slid off the chair and down to the floor in front of her. "Look, I don't care that you used to date my brother. I like you. Always have." He grasped her hands. "We don't have to have a full-on romance, but give me a chance." He waited a beat. "Please."

Katie might regret getting tangled up with another Hillion, but her two-year dry spell pushed her to throw caution out the window.

Rising from the sofa, she held out a hand. "Follow me."

I have so much fun writing sibling rivalry and family drama tropes into my romances. Katie and Forbes get to navigate the minefield while figuring out what they'll be to each other.

 

That's it for this week. Catch everyone on the flipside.

ML Skye