Sunday Snippet: The Zipper Incident

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

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

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

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

Started with Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries. I loved this episode because it marked the first time Jack owned his feelings for Phryne. I also love that he didn't even consider the possibility of trying to use his feelings to change her or ask her to be something she isn't. That's one of the reasons this show holds such a big place in my heart.

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

Watched another episode of Death in Paradise. I'm warming up to Wilson and I'm enjoying how Naomi is finding her footing with him. I also love Rose and ability to stumble onto exactly what they need for the case. I'm looking forward to Wilson and Naomi digging into his mother's death, which does appear to be more than a tragic accident.

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

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

Watched another Batman Beyond. I actually didn't remember this episode so it was nice to dive into a new-to-me story.

Enjoyed another episode 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 truly do enjoy the callbacks to previous series and episodes. That's so much fun.

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

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

Here's the miniblurb:

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

And a sneaky peek…

Entering the brig cell, Layne flexed her jaw, trying to soothe the stinging burn from the punch. "Clearly, someone doesn't know how to label things correctly." Or maybe you misread the bottle because you were too drunk…

She ruthlessly squashed her internal voice.

She stomped over to the bunk and slumped down, bracing her shoulders on the wall.

Hyde followed her inside and she jerked up to a sitting position. "What the hell? Why can't you take number two?" She didn't need to share space with him right now.

Hyde only arched his brows.

Lance Corporal Janz Mayhew answered her question. "Following orders, Ensign. Apparently, the CO thinks if you're going to act like children, he'll put you in timeout until you can learn to use your words instead of throwing punches." He locked the door and turned toward the watch station, whistling a peppy tune.

Layne sighed. "Perfect." But not surprising … nothing else had gone right since yesterday's promotion celebration.

Hyde nudged her knee. "Scoot and make room."

She frowned. "Why should I?"

He gave her a long stare. "Why shouldn'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 to her.

Layne huffed out a breath. "Fine. Whatever." She slid down almost to the other edge of the bunk.

Hyde leaned back, his head resting on the wall. Layne shot him a sideways glance. She should probably apologize yet couldn't quite put one together. Guilt licked at her conscience, but she hadn't meant to completely ruin his stuff. Just her luck when one of her pranks went completely off the rails, it landed on Hyde … the last person she really wanted to harm.

Even if he made her angry.

A few minutes later, Hyde angled his 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 have a problem." Not one she wanted to share at the moment.

Hyde tsked. "Yeah, you do." He sat up and turned to the side. "It's being passed over for promotion, right?"

She could own that one. "A little. 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 why target me?" He held her gaze. "Your time will come." He didn't have any doubt in his tone.

And didn't that turn the lick of guilt into a pretty strong flame? He truly believed she'd move up the ranks just like him. And, yeah, she would. Eventually.

But none of that actually concerned her. Not much anyway. Hyde moving on without her did.

Ugh … she had to be honest, even if she 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 leave her behind.

Hyde rolled his eyes. "As if." He snorted.

She stopped and threw a hand out. "See … I knew you wouldn't understand." And she really didn't want to explain.

Because she only this moment realized how much the thought of losing him terrified her.

Pretty happy with how this story is coming together. I love it when feelings finally hit hard for my characters.

 

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

ML Skye