Sunday Snippet: Keeping Him Real

Another bonkers week of fighting a cold and lack of sleep while trying to keep a lot of plates spinning. I have another week of tracking some things down that I really don't want to put off any longer and, honestly, I always forget how much time it takes to this stuff sometimes. I'd love an extra four hours in a day so I could stay caught up.

The weather is doing its usual back and forth thing, plus we're at that stage of spring where it's full-on construction season. I have to laugh because some of the detours have detours. It's bonkers.

Really good work week. I've got several projects in flux at the moment and if the timing goes well (spoiler alert: it rarely does), I'll move two off my plate and add two more. I did put a final checkmark on one of my developmental editing projects. I had a lot of fun working on that one.

Had a pretty solid viewing week. I made it through my usual list of shows and kind of added an extra one because one of my streamers is being a pain and wanting an upgrade for immediate access to new seasons. I'm not okay with paying more so I'll play the waiting game.

Finished up the fifth season of My Life Is Murder and I'm very happy with where all the characters are. I love Madison's growth and Will choosing to stay on the straight and narrow makes me smile. This group would be so much fun to hang out with.

Caught another behind the scenes bit with Foyle's War. I'm always interested in how they pull things together and this one had several segments about makeup, wardrobe, and sets. I think I have one more before the next season.

Watched another episode of Poirot and finished up the sixth season. From what I remember, there's a five-year break before the beginning of the next one. Stay tuned to see if I'm right.

Started the new season of Death in Paradise and thoroughly enjoyed the opening salvo. The commissioner is back. Darlene is gone and will be missed. A new sergeant is in the mix. Seb is still Seb. And DI Wilson has a clue that his half-brother is a terrible, no-good, awful person. Catherine and Naomi are the glue that holds everything together.

Elementary had another terrific episode. I really like where all the characters are right now, and I love Sherlock kind of going out on a limb for Shinwell. Looking forward to seeing more on this plot point.

Started a new to me series with Young Justice. I've seen a few of the episodes, but I've never seen how the series kicked off. So far, I'm enjoying the ride.

Caught another episode of Star Trek: Lower Decks and quite enjoyed the adventure. Always lovely to see special guest stars and this week we had George Takei. Such a fun episode.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Keeping Him Real, a novella that pulls a couple together while one tries to help the other with work-life balance.

Here's the miniblurb:

Hugo Mitchell is the glue that holds his family's business together and they rely on him for more than they should. Gayle Dawson is a long-time friend who works with Hugo. She becomes the match that sparks a transformation within Hugo where he finally stops taking up all the slack and starts to enjoy life … as long as she's in it.

And a snippety peek…

Hugo finished putting the inventory away and contemplated Gayle's words. "She doesn't have my situation wrong." When Wayne and Vince dodged helping out, not only did they suck as brothers, they also showed their asses to everyone else.

Especially when both knew the bar would have a busy weekend.

Hugo snorted. "They sure love the ready cash to buy a new go-pro or a new software subscription for their web hijinks." But actually doing the work for said cash?

Not so much.

And Hugo could be a hard ass and make them help. Like Gayle said … they were grown-ass men and should start acting like it.

But … the last time Hugo put a foot down and made them toe the line, his brothers decided to make Hugo the subject of one of their segments. "And I didn't enjoy being in the limelight." Not when they could edit the footage however they wanted to and he came off looking like a complete moron.

It took weeks for the teasing to die down not only from the family but the patrons of the bar too. Thankfully, he had people he could count on. Ramona for one. She'd been with the bar for a long time, coming to work for his parents not long after they opened. She didn't let Wayne and Vince get away with not pitching in. Hence the reason they liked to hang out in the bar after breakfast then flee before she came in.

Wayne and Vince might be able to make a living with their platforms, but they couldn't support themselves completely. Unlike Hugo's other siblings, Aimee and Dante. They always popped in on their days off, and if they didn't do a full shift, they at least eased the burden for a few hours. Hugo appreciated the effort. Maybe helped that they were the oldest and decided quickly they wanted to keep a hand in the family business but also wanted their own careers.

And then … well … Hugo had Gayle. A breath of fresh air he always looked forward to having. He pretty much fell for her the first week she started working.

But he never said anything. "After all, she counts on me for a paycheck." Kinda inappropriate to seek something more, even if she flirted up a storm with him.

Which led to the next reason he didn't pursue anything else. He literally didn't have the time to put into a relationship. And she deserved someone who could go all out for her.

Dragging the kegs closer to the steps, he huffed out a breath. "Who knows? Maybe someday." He could dream, right?

I'm in the very beginning stages of this one, but it's going to be fun to see where the story goes.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin