Sunday Snippet: A Golden Moment

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 A Golden Moment, a novella that got a start with a writing community prompt.

Here's the miniblurb:

A group of friends sets up Pam Yardley and Desmond Hyde with prospective dates, hoping to get the last two remaining single friends into committed relationships. Pam and Desmond aren't enthusiastic but only because each harbors feelings for the other but neither want to ruin their long-standing camaraderie. When their friends start pushing for serious commitment between the two couples, Pam and Desmond finally have a heart-to-heart about the future they really want.

And a snippety peek…

Desmond sat in Bobby Que's, nursing a beer while waiting on his order of the sample platter. "Never could choose one option." The three choices with three sides would give him lunch tomorrow also.

He set his mug down when he spotted Pam Yardley entering the restaurant. She stopped just inside the door and glanced around at the other patrons. Desmond almost got up to invite her to sit with him but paused when she greeted Paul, the IT tech that worked at the fire academy.

He picked his beer back up. "Damn. Should've seen that one coming." Sadly, he hadn't given Monica credit for working so fast.

Okay, not really that fast. Paul had been working at the academy for about three months. Frankly, Desmond kind of had to give Monica props for waiting as long as she had.

Of course, she'd try to play matchmaker … but why did she have to put Pam with the new guy? Pam never dated anyone. Bad breakups could do that to a person.

Which Desmond thought would give him plenty of time to win Pam over. He kind of had a thing for her. But he hesitated to act because of Monica. If he did go out with Pam and it didn't work out, he didn't want to lose friendships or have to leave his job.

Desmond had been around for the whole Chad debacle.

The server placed his entrée on the table. "Can I get you another beer?"

Des shook his head. "No, thanks. But I'd love an ice water with lemon."

Digging into the pulled pork, he chastised himself. "James wouldn't end a lifelong relationship." Not when they'd been best friends since third grade.

And while Desmond loved Monica—the perfect woman for his best friend—Monica could make anyone insane with her decisive—and sometimes divisive—opinions when things didn't work out the way she thought they should.

Case in point … if Des decided to act on his attraction for Pam, Monica would no doubt flip her shit. She'd obviously chosen Paul as the guy for her friend. And maybe he would be a good fit for Pam.

Pausing to take a long swallow of his drink, he huffed out a breath. "Just not as good as I could be." So … why didn't I throw my hat into the ring?

Yeah, hindsight sucked balls. Des didn't express interest because Pam made it clear she had zero plans to get tangled up with anyone anytime soon. He figured he could test the waters sometime in the future … after she'd had time to work through the aftermath of the breakup with Chad.

Right. Of course, Monica had the inside track on that. She would know when Pam wanted to get back on the horse. Too bad, Desmond didn't pay enough attention to the cues. He might have suggested Monica put in a good word for him.

He chuckled. "Who am I kidding? No way would I ever do that." Too many pitfalls he could stumble over there.

Because Monica would go to the mat for the people she loved … including Des. But if she thought he crossed a line—especially if it involved Pam—Monica would make his life a living hell. And Des wouldn't put James in the middle of the worst-case scenario because he'd rightfully choose his wife's side.

Shaking his head, he speared a French fry. "Better luck next time, Des." Or better luck finding someone else to go out with.

I'm not sure how this one is going to end up shaking out, but I'm excited to eventually get Desmond and Pamela together.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin

Sunday Snippet: A Golden Moment

We've had the most insane weather this week. Three days in the high sixties and low seventies then a thirty degree drop on Friday with rain, rain, rain, followed by another dip in temperature and snow in an area not far from where I live. I predict a lot of people will end up with upper respiratory issues in the near future.

Had a very busy week with work projects. The two I've been working on are both wrapping up and we're down to the final tweaks and polishing. I've thoroughly enjoyed both and I'm looking forward to a small break to get some additional things accomplished around the house.

I didn't watch much of anything this week, mainly because I needed the quiet focus again. I did get most of the way through Resisting Roots and I started Enola Holmes 2. I have so much love for this movie!

I also got an episode of Star Trek: Discovery in. I'm thrilled everyone is back together and I love the changing dynamic of the characters. Looking forward to seeing more of this season.

I'll hopefully be back to a partially normal viewing schedule in the next week. I also found a streaming service that has a classic television network I've been missing for the past three or so years. I'll be giving that a whirl soon.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from A Golden Moment, a novella that got a start with a writing community prompt.

Here's the mini-blurb:

A group of friends sets up Pam Yardley and Desmond Hyde with prospective dates, hoping to get the last two remaining single friends into committed relationships. Pam and Desmond aren't enthusiastic but only because each harbors feelings for the other but neither want to ruin their long-standing camaraderie. When their friends start pushing for serious commitment between the two couples, Pam and Desmond finally have a heart-to-heart about the future they really want.

And a snippety peek…

"Pam! Hold up!" Monica Wells hoofed it across the school parking lot, weaving between cars. "Pammy! You'll never believe the news I have."

Pam Yardley arched her brows. "Considering you're speaking in exclamation points, it better be good." She laughed at her friend's antics.

Monica rolled her eyes. "Ha-ha." She leaned in. "Listen, I just set you up with the most awesome guy. I don't know why I didn't think of doing this sooner."

An awesome guy she didn't think of sooner? Could she mean Desmond Hyde? That news would make Pam's day.

Wary, but hopeful, she eyed Monica. "Okay, who is this incredible man you should've matched me with sooner?" Please let it be Des.

Monica waggled her eyebrows. "Paul Harrison. He's meeting you at Bobby Ques for dinner at seven." Her feet did a happy jig.

Pam narrowed her gaze. "Is Paul the new tech guy at the fire academy? The one James keeps talking about?" Monica's husband hired Paul so he didn't have to deal with the headache of running the state fire instruction school and keeping the computer system up to date.

Monica squealed. "Yes. That's him. He's settled in at the academy and his new apartment and he's ready to have a social life." She propped her hip on Pam's car. "He's a lot of fun and since you're both single, James thought you two would be perfect for each other." She grinned. "Of course, I agreed and when Paul answered the phone in James's office, I figured it was kismet and suggested he meet you for dinner."

Pam widened her eyes. "And what if I have plans?" She didn't really, only paper that needed grading.

Monica snorted. "You don't. It's Thursday, which means you're going to grade papers and plan next week's lessons so you'll have the weekend free." She folded her arms over her chest. "You can grade the papers before and after dinner and do you lesson plan during lunch tomorrow." Her lower lip jutted out. "Please say you'll go. Paul has to be tired of hanging out with me and James."

Pam laughed. "I doubt that. More like he needs a break from your overwhelming, but loving, attempts to keep him entertained." She sobered ... because she didn't want to lead Paul on. "It's just dinner, right? I mean, you didn't promise him a wedding in the near future or anything?" With Monica, no one could be certain.

Monica's gaze slid sideways. "A wedding? No. But I did mention you've been single for forever and you don't have any ex-husbands or boyfriends he should be concerned about."

Pam sighed. "That's by choice, Mon. Not that I don't want to find someone to share my life with, but after Chad … well, I'm very picky." And a blind-date setup wouldn't be her first choice in finding a someone.

Desmond Hyde, however, would. The only problem there? He happened to be James's best friend and if they did hook up and things didn't work out…

Monica clicked her tongue against her teeth. "Chad Harlow is an ass and we rightfully cut ties with him. No one cheats on my best friend and lives to tell the tale."

Pam loved Monica's fierce support. "Of course he does. He just doesn't work in the same school district anymore because he moved halfway across the state." Word traveled fast through their circle of friends and Chad decided to cut his losses and move on.

He also ended up being stranded at the altar by the woman he cheated on Pam with.

Monica waved her hand between them. "Whatever. He's dead to me and that's all that matters." Her gaze turned pleading. "You'll meet Paul, won't you?"

Bobby Ques did happen to be Pam's favorite restaurant. The owner, Robert Quinn, made the absolute best barbeque on the planet. And, if nothing else, Pam could introduce Paul to the marvelous cuisine.

She gave a nod. "Yeah, I'll meet him." She held up a hand when Monica started clapping. "But only for dinner. Don't start planning a couples' vacation over summer break." If she didn't nip that idea in the bud now, her best friend would have them sharing a room for their annual two-week trip to the condo on the beach.

Monica smirked. "I wouldn't dream of it."

Pam rolled her eyes. "Yes, you would. But let's wait until I actually meet him before you start waving your magic wand, okay?"

Monica hugged her. "Fine. But you're going to like him. I know you will." She let Pam go and stepped away. "I'll let you head out so you can get started on grading those papers." With a waggle-fingered wave, she trotted back across the parking lot.

Pam shook her head. "What am I getting into here?" She popped her door open and slid inside her car with a chuckle. "Better question would be what's Monica getting me into?" Starting the engine, she backed out of her space and headed for the exit, her mouth already watering for barbeque.

This story is barely more than a scene or two at the moment, but it's fun to write. I love having friends who mean well but sometimes miss the forest for the trees.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin