Sunday Snippet: X Out the Date

Time to wrap up 2024 and send it on its happy way. For me, it's been a year of ups and downs and sometimes the downs packed a punch. That said, I try to focus on the ups and pull that energy into my realm.

Wild weather, per usual. We had sixty degrees yesterday, so my husband went golfing. He's been down with a nasty cold and wanted / needed the fresh air and exercise. Today it's raining and dreary outside.

Finished up a section of a developmental edit I've been working on. So excited to have it done, because we're almost to the finish line on this story. One more chunk of chapters then a full read through and we'll be ready to go.

A semi-decent week of viewing even with the holiday thrown in this week. I still need to pick a new show to watch on one of my streamers and I finished another show and will need to replace it also.

Started season three of Elementary. I'm not sure how I feel about Harsh Joan or New Watson working with Sherlock. Also feel a bit off by Gregson's backhanded bitchslap to Sherlock. I do love that Sherlock is seeing consequences for his actions, even if they were to preserve his sobriety. Season three could prove to be interesting.

I finished The Batman series and thoroughly enjoyed the rewatch. I feel like there's at least one episode I missed, but maybe I'm remembering a different series.

Caught another episode of Classic Rugrats and didn't remember either of the vignettes. Loved the babies thinking they were helping and the grown-ups getting locked in the playpen.

Enjoyed another episode of Mr. and Mrs. Murder. I think I have two more episodes left in this series. It's a fun show and I'm glad I watched from the beginning.

Finished up the second season of London Kills and I'm excited to start season three. The weaving of the plot lines is something I really like about this series. Looking forward to seeing what happens next.

Caught another episode of Death in Paradise. Really interested to see what happens with JP. I love his character and I'll be sad to see him go, if he does.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from X Out the Date, a novella that explores a couple reflecting on how they met before making a big commitment to each other.

Here's the miniblurb:

Preston Ayl and Elliot Newman are on the verge of making a strong commitment. Attending conferences on opposite ends of the country, the week away from each other is proving more difficult than either expects and they're crossing out the date until they're back together.

And a snippety peek…

One thirty a.m. rolled around, and Elliot still couldn't sleep. "Wild how much I miss having her next to me." He rolled to his side and punched the neighboring pillow then spooned up against it.

A shitty substitute for Preston.

He'd been lucky to meet her. Okay, the circumstances were off-the-chart weird. Elliot got tangled up in a fracas while playing hockey and he didn't have his gloves on. He'd sliced his finger open on a skate blade.

Alex dropped Elliot off at the emergency entrance of local ED then drove around to park.

Elliot's lips curved. "And he neglected to tell me his cousin worked there." After he'd been triaged, a nurse took him to a curtained area and told him to wait.

The physician assistant entered within ten minutes and Elliot kind of fell for her on the spot.

She looked up from the tablet she'd grabbed from the wall. "Elliot Newman?" Her head tilted to one side. "Normally, I'd shake your hand, but we'll skip that for now." Her gaze met his. "I'm PA Preston Ayl, and I'll be stitching your injury." She pulled a drawer open and retrieved a packet from inside.

Elliot blinked. "Did you say Ayl? Any relation to Alex?" Not exactly a common name.

She arched her brows. "Alex is my cousin. Did he do the honors?" She nodded toward the gauze-covered finger.

Elliot chuckled but didn't have a chance to answer because Alex poked his head around the curtain.

"Hey, it wasn't me. We're on the same team." He gave the PA's shoulder a squeeze. "Take good care of him, Pres. We've got a match next week."

Preston rolled her eyes but got ready to stitch up the wound. "Did anyone think to warn you about Alex? He thinks dangerous stunt is his middle name."

Elliot laughed. "Actually, Alex did the warning himself. Said to forget about trying to keep up with him." He barely felt the sting of the numbing agent she used.

Preston huffed out a breath. "Yeah, he should come with a warning label." She put four sutures in and bandaged his finger. "I learned not to follow Alex blindly after I fell out of the tree we were climbing and broke my arm."

Alex chimed in. "Yeah, she was a trooper. Pretty sure that's when she decided she wanted to be involved in the medical field." He paused a moment. "Hey, you two have something in common … aside from me, that is. Elliot works for a small medical equipment manufacturer in design and sales."

Preston arched her brows. "Pre-hospital, medical center, or primary care facility?" She put a piece of tape on the gauze to hold it in place.

Elliot rolled a shoulder. "All three. We make portable sharps containers and medical bags that clean easily to avoid cross contamination as our main lines." He didn't mention the disposable sheets they were testing right now.

Her eyes widened. "Are the bags the ones with the sealed mesh stuff?"

His lips twitched. "Uh, yeah. They're super easy to wipe down and there's no worry about stuff getting imbedded in the weave." He'd had a hand in creating that product line.

She did a slow nod. "Those bags are terrific."

Elliot resisted the urge to puff out his chest at the kudos.

After going over the instructions for care, she slid her gaze to Alex.

He held his hands up. "I know. I know. I won't make him practice until the stitches are removed."

Preston snorted. "I think you mean you won't let him practice." She gave Elliot a smile. "Seriously, you need to sit out for bit." She started gathering up the debris from her work.

Elliot grunted. "Not a problem. I'd rather not tempt fate and risk another injury." Unless he could see her again.

Alex must've read Elliot's mind. "Hey, Pres. Why don't you plan to make a house call and check those stitches in a day or two."

She narrowed her eyes. "Are you playing matchmaker?"

Alex smirked. "You know me better than that. I'm asking for purely selfish reasons."

Preston lifted her chin. "Ah, right. The big match you need Mr. Newman for."

Elliot winced. "Elliot, please. Not to be cliché, but Mr. Newman is my dad." He experimented and tried to wiggle his finger and didn't find a lot give, which impressed him. "Thanks for this. It's not restrictive yet I can't really move or bend it either." Took some skill to get it just right.

Preston flashed a smile. "That's good to hear. Thank you." She made a note on the screen of the tablet. "I'll send the nurse back in with your paperwork then you can head home." She started to leave the curtained area.

Alex waved. "Hey. House call? Will you do it?"

Elliot should protest, but he wouldn't mind seeing Preston again.

Her lips twisted in a wry smile. "Text me Elliot's contact information and if I'll try to arrange a time to drop by." She glanced in Elliot's direction. "If you're okay with this?"

Elliot nodded. "Sure. If it's no imposition."

Alex shook his head. "It's not."

Elliot tsked. "Dude, I'm pretty sure she can answer for herself."

Preston grinned. "It's not. I'll look forward to seeing you again." She waited a beat. "Hopefully without my weird family member this time." She gave a waggle-fingered wave to Alex and exited the space.

Elliot stared after her.

Alex leaned in. "FYI, she loves superhero movies."

This is such a fun story to write. Elliot and Preston are pretty angst free and I enjoy writing happy, fluffy stories sometimes.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin