Sunday Snippet: Top Honors

The winter blast is still underway. I'd love to send some of our precipitation out to California to combat the wildfires burning LA right now. Another 3-5 inches of snow in the next day or so. Thankfully, I don't have to really go out for anything until the end of the week.

I made progress on my side project. I have a few more things to upload and some links to get set, then I'll hopefully be ready to launch. I also did some future planning on what manuscripts to focus on next. At least it's movement!

Very light work week again. Still working on the readthrough for my friend and I completed a manuscript proofread. Hoping to have another new one to get started on this week.

Not a bad week for viewing. I had some distractions but nothing major. I also think I've found the next show I want to watch on one of my streamers.

Finished up the premier episode of London Kills. This is definitely going to be a wild season. Can't wait to see more.

Caught another episode of Death in Paradise. Kind of sad to see JP leaving but excited to see what happens next. Marlon is growing on me so that's a good thing.

Started the spinoff Beyond Paradise and enjoyed the opening episode. I'm interested to see where things go with Humphrey and Martha. Not sure about Martha's mom. So far, not a fan. I do love the team and look forward to more interactions with them.

Watched another episode of Elementary. Enjoyed the dynamic with the Sherlock regular, the math guy. Also kind of enjoyed the Joan and Kitty scenes. I'm not sure what's going on with Kitty but I don't think she's really committed to the group therapy thing. We'll see if I'm right about that…

Finished up the second part of the opening episodes of Batman Beyond. I'm excited about this rewatch. The theme song alone makes it worth another visit to this one.

Enjoyed another Classic Rugrats episode. This one was the launch of All Growed Up and I hadn't seen the bookend with the original babies. Such a fun episode.

Also finished up an episode of Peak Practice, which I ended up liking. Will is still a bit of a prat but and I really, really dislike the finance guy, but overall, this ended up being a great episode.

That's it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Top Honors, a novella that brings a couple together even with the dad being a pain in the butt.

Here's the miniblurb:

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 debated about confronting Forbes that night when he stopped by her apartment.

She let him in and gave him a chilly greeting. He narrowed his gaze but settled on the sofa in the living room. She couldn't put off asking him. She needed to know if he'd broken his promise.

She squared her shoulders. "I had an interesting meeting with my CO today."

Forbes blinked. "Damn. I'm shocked my old man moved so fast." He huffed out a breath.

Katie crossed the room and opened the door. "I'd like you to leave." She met his gaze. "Now." Anger kicked hard against her ribs.

Forbes held up a hand. "Wait." He got up.

Katie shook her head. "No. You promised you wouldn't butt in. You're not a man of your word." And, damn, if disappointment didn't smack up against the anger.

He moved to stand beside her. "There's a reason I stepped in. Please let me explain, then I'll leave." His eyes held a wary appeal.

Katie heaved a sigh. "Fine." She shut the door. "Start talking." Folding her arms over her chest, she clamped her jaw.

Forbes ran a hand through his head. "I had no intention of butting in until I came across some important information." He filled her in on his dad's transgression. "He had no business judging you for something he'd done himself—especially when the outcomes were so different." His voice softened. "And … he's depriving the service of a top-notch instructor in the process."

Shock washed over her. She really shouldn't be surprised Walsh had a past, but she wouldn't have pegged him for this. And it kind of explained why he'd reacted the way he had when Katie failed Hilton.

She relaxed. "You still had no right to stick your nose in." Especially when she'd asked him not to.

Even if the outcome worked in her favor.

Forbes reached for her hand. "Yes, I did. I love you, Katie, and I'll do whatever it takes to right my father's wrong. You shouldn't have to pay the price to ease his guilt." His thumb stroked over her skin.

She fought past the surprise of his admission. "Okay … when you put it like that"—he said he loved her—"I can't really argue." She had so much to say, but the love thing had her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth.

Forbes squeezed her fingers. "So, you understand?"

Katie nodded. "Yes. I do."

He let go of her hand and twisted the doorknob.

Katie shook her head. "Where are you going?"

Forbes glanced over his shoulder. "I said I'd leave if you listened." He held her gaze. "I really am a man of my word."

She tugged him back. "And I'm allowed to change my mind." She wrapped her arms around him. "Stay?"

I love the variation on one of my favorite themes / tropes of meeting the wrong brother first. Katie and Forbes are a lot of fun.

 

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

ML Skye