Sunday Snippet: Once in a Lifetime

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there. We're having some unseasonably chilly and rainy weather but it's nice to have my youngest home for the weekend.

Had a weird mix of editing work and a bunch of stuff I needed to catch up on this week. I did manage to get some solid writing time in also, which makes me very happy. I finished up a manuscript I've been working on for a long time and got it ready for some beta readers! I also finished a sexy short and have it ready for some critique as well.

Not a bad week for television. I started a new to me show on Hulu with The Hardy Boys. The first episode had a lot going on but I enjoyed it. My brother highly recommended the series because he liked it a lot. We remember the original Hardy Boys from way back in the day so I'll go with his recommendation.

I started a Master Class series on graphic design. I'm not going to win any awards, but I have an interest in the topic and I like to know what goes into making things like book covers and media for marketing purposes. I have several more classes to watch and I'm looking forward to them.

Caught the second episode of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. So far, I'm still in. I like looking at the world through Sabrina's eyes and watching how everyone reacts with her. I'm split down the middle with the aunts and I love her cousin. Harvey and Sabrina's friends are fun also. The jury is out on the teacher. I have a bit of a hang up about the actress because she played a character I really didn't like on Doctor Who. That's not her fault, it's part of the Moffet era that I didn't enjoy.

Watched another episode of Peak Practice and it was a tough one, but I enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to seeing the next one even though Beth and Jack are kind of going through the wringer right now.

Started a new episode of Blue Heelers. It's interesting to see how witness protection works in another country. I also love to see how the small-town heelers have a better grasp on how things work than the big city guys.

I finished the first season of Picard and, wow, I did not expect to be a sobbing mess. That said, I thoroughly enjoyed the show. It took me some time to really get into the series, but I ended up getting pretty invested in the core group. I am left with a couple of questions, which isn't a bad thing. I'll look forward to seeing if those get answered in the second season.

Caught another episode of Chicago Med and it's part of a crossover event I remember watching. I'm ready for the next episode, hopefully this week.

Last but not least, I caught another Passionflix holiday Quickie with Just Say When. It was on the shorter side but didn't suffer for it. A nice little bit of angsty merriment.

That's it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Once in a Lifetime, a novella where my characters see each other in a different light all because of a formal function and a seriously hot dress.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Evan McCoy overhears Sasha Knepf shout his name when she's in the throes of passion with another man. He confronts her the next day in the hotel suite and demands an explanation, which she's not inclined to provide since he ditched her after their second dance at the annual ball.

And a snippety peek…

Sasha enjoyed the fact she'd pulled off the ultimate mind-blowing experience. "The seven years of dance my mom made me take are paying off now, right?" She glided on the dance floor within the circle of Evan's arms.

His eyes went wide. "You took dance?" He cleared his throat. "Wait, that was a dick thing to say. What I mean is, yes, definitely paying off." He tightened his grip on her and lowered his head close to her ear. "You're full of surprises."

She grinned and a shot of heat went through her. "You have no idea." She tilted her head back and added a suggestive tone. "But you could…"

A flash of something wicked lit his eyes and she shivered a little. If all went well, she might fulfill a long-held fantasy. Definitely worth the effort to shock and impress him.

But … time to actually work and keep an eye on the commissioner. When the song ended, she and Evan agreed they should mingle for a while and work through the crowd. The threat level had been flagged as orange, which meant the assessment included a heightened chance of something happening. The commissioner had pissed off a few of the advocate groups recently when he said he wouldn't take meetings until the city council completed their fact-finding discourse.

Sasha shook her head. "He's stuck. He can't move without the council's approval and they're dragging their feet." She jumped when a hand landed on her shoulder.

Turning, she bit back a sigh. Benton Calhoun, the deputy commissioner, stood grinning like a loon. The guy had some good ideas, but his smarmy attitude rubbed her wrong.

Benton arched a brow. "You seem to have a good handle on the issues facing the commissioner."

She frowned. "Do they not affect you, too?" Being one rung down only protected him so much.

Benton shrugged. "Of course. But I'm not the face everyone sees at the press conferences."

And, boy, that bugged him. She didn't doubt her gut instinct one bit. But he did a lot of work behind the scenes and word got out. He continued to be popular with the general public and the police union.

 Sasha opted for flattery. "Maybe you should be. Skerrit Nelson always looks angry." He had bushy brows that furrowed all the time and a gruff countenance.

But Sasha liked him. He had a great sense of humor when microphones and cameras weren't shoved in his face. Benton, on the other hand, had leading-man looks and oodles of charm.

Benton's lips curved. "I'll take that compliment."

She smiled. "As you should." Her gaze caught someone waving behind the DC. "Um, it looks like you're needed elsewhere. If I'm not mistaken, the News 9 anchorwoman is trying to get your attention."

Benton's lips thinned but he covered quickly with a half-smile. "Ah, yes. She's angling for an exclusive with the commissioner. Sadly, I'll have to put her off for a while." He nodded. "You look stunning. I'd love a dance later."

Sasha tilted her head. "I'm here for the entire function. I'll be around." She wouldn't mind a quick trip around the floor with him.

But she'd rather dance with Evan again. Her gaze sought him out and she grinned when he made his way toward her. Maybe she'd get her wish.

He stopped by her side. "The DC seems smitten … rightfully so."

Sasha laughed. "He did say I look stunning." She left out the part about asking her to dance.

Evan clasped her elbow. "He's not wrong." He nodded toward the designated section of the room. "Care for another spin? It looks like the major players have decided to abandon the bar for the dance floor."

Sasha smiled. "By all means. Let's join them." She followed him to the middle of the throng of bodies and stepped easily into his arms.

I love the dynamic between Sasha and Evan even when circumstances conspire to ruin their evening … but they'll more than make up for and meet the promise of more later.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading.

Skylin