Sunday Snippet: Mixed Signals

And our above normal temperatures are over for now. Most of the week ended up being kind of hot and humid. Friday brought some rain and cooler weather, like a twenty-degree drop. It definitely feels more like fall.

Busy with work projects and I'm getting closer to launching the new venture I've been working on. I'm not quite ready for prime time but I'm getting there. So excited!

Kind of a slow week for viewing television. I had some distractions and ended up being focused on other things.

I caught another episode of Agatha Raisin and thoroughly enjoyed it. Agatha might end up getting her man, but my big question is whether she'll want to hold on after she gets him. I kind of like the true to life vibe this show has.

Finished up the second part of Silent Witness and actually kind of enjoyed the twisty turns this one took. Also enjoyed seeing Nikki and Matt try to work through a bumpy bit.

Caught another episode of Death in Paradise. I'm somewhere in the middle of whether I like how the commissioner tries to nose in these early seasons. I love the character and I like how he interacts with the others even if I'm not completely sure if he's 100 percent legit sometimes.

Watched another episode of Only Murders in the Building. Lots of little shout outs to Broadway in this episode and I liked that. Also loved seeing Oliver's son so concerned about his dad. Kind of bummed there's a new detective, but holding out hope we'll see our favorite one later.

Started season three of my Battlestar Galactica rewatch. The opening episode ranks right up there with "33" for being so well done. The next episode is also stellar. Can't wait to watch it again.

Enjoyed an episode of The Batman. The Joker returned and wreaked havoc per usual, which is always fun. And Alfred's snark was on point as always.

Watched an episode of Classic Rugrats. Kind of fun to see some bumps in adjusting to having Dil in the mix. I'll always have a soft spot for the first five seasons because those were the ones I watched the most with my oldest kiddo, but I also enjoy the newer seasons because they have a larger dynamic, especially when two more characters are added to the mix.

Started another episode of VIP and should finish it up later today. I forgot how many dream sequences this show had whether it be sleeping or waking ones. They're always kind of odd but fun.

That's pretty it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Mixed Signals, a novella that reunites a couple under dangerous circumstances.

Here's the miniblurb:

Avery and Trigg, both undercover cops, can't keep their relationship going. Their work makes it hard to stay connected. When mixed signals results in Avery shooting Trigg in a friendly fire incident, she wants to set the record straight and maybe test the waters to pick up where they left off.

And a snippety peek…

In the driveway to Avery's apartment, Trigg questioned the whole idea of spending several days together. "You sure you really want to do this?" He fumbled with the seatbelt, trying to get it with one hand.

Avery shot him a narrow-eyed look. "Do you really think I'm going to change my answer? I mean you've asked the same question at least three times since we left the hospital." She reached over and pressed the release then carefully helped him get out from under the shoulder harness. "Should the question really be whether you want my help?" Grabbing her keys, she popped her door open but didn't make a move to get out of the car.

Trigg shook his head. "No, you're right. I'm going to need some assistance. Hell, you had to get my stuff because I'm still wiped out from the meds." He used his free hand to open the door.

Avery quickly got out, trotted around the car, and crooked her elbow, giving him her forearm. "Use me to keep your balance. The first couple of times getting in and out are the trickiest until you get used to only having one side free." She bent her knees a little and braced her legs.

Trigg grasped her arm, slid off the seat, and got his feet under him. "Thanks. Gotta say this sucks." He closed the door and went to open the back so he could get his duffel bag.

Avery shook her head. "Uh-uh. I'll get it. You head to the porch." She snagged his gear and followed him up the path.

Trigg made a low whistle. "Wow, you've made some changes." His gaze drank in the comfortable seating area and shade screens.

Avery chuckled. "Not the bare bones space you remembered, is it?" She unlocked her door and pushed it open.

Trigg took a moment, admiring the low maintenance greenery, the brightly colored mailbox, and sturdy welcome mat at the threshold. She'd made the outside space hers. He kind of looked forward to seeing what she'd done to the inside.

Avery popped outside. "You okay?" Swinging the door open further, she welcomed him inside.

Trigg gave a nod. "Yeah, I'm good. Porch looks fantastic." He entered her home and, yeah, she'd definitely added her unique touch to everything. "So does the inside." He cocked his head. "When did you find time to do all this?" An overstuffed couch beckoned, and he made his way over, sinking down onto the plush cushion.

Avery dropped his duffel next to his feet. "It's not hard to point and click for accessories. And whenever I got more than one day off in a row, I scoured furniture stores until I found what I wanted." She took a seat on the chair perpendicular to the sofa.

Trigg huffed out a breath. "Man, my place is spartan compared to this." He craned his head, looking into the next room, which she'd made into a study.

Avery laughed. "Yeah, early American single guy all the way for you." Slipping her jacket off, she went to hang it on the peg rack beside the front door. "Are you due for any of your meds? I'm going to get some water and bring it in, so you'll have it." She nodded toward the kitchen.

Trigg lifted his chin. "Sounds great. Thanks." He fumbled in his coat pocket and withdrew his pain killers and the antibiotic.

Leaning back, he closed his eyes and tried to wrap his head around this different version of Avery. The one who'd taken time to make her apartment a refuge instead of a place to crash between undercover assignments. Very different from when they'd dated. That Avery didn't have the roots this one did.

Which isn't a bad thing.

Part of the reason they'd ended things had been her volatile nature. Up, down, sideways, and inside-out, she never had off switch, which made her great at undercover work. Not so much with having downtime. He didn't help. When he finished an assignment, he left the persona behind and picked back up with regular life. Putting the assumed identity in a tiny compartment came easy for him. Avery struggled to regain hers. And sometimes her inability to quickly transition back to regular cop created friction.

Not that you're blameless, Trigg.

He could've helped her get centered back in the real world. Instead, he got frustrated when she wore the mantel of whatever character she portrayed for days after coming back in. Both had crazy schedules and his impatience to be with the true Avery before he had a new assignment got in the way a lot.

Trigg huffed out a breath. "So much for not digging into the past." He should've known better.

And the armor-coated protection around his heart started to dissolve.

I'm very happy with how this story is moving along. Trigg and Avery have some issues to work out and being in close proximity will be just the kick start they need.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin