I have some ideas I’m working on for my upcoming series Valentine R, which is a sequel to the Valentine series. I’m thinking of making some changes to Veronica Entienne, Val’s cousin and loyal best friend. Please enjoy this little preview in honor of Pride Month!

Val leaned against the wall just outside Jo’s hospital room. Her arms were folded, and her gaze was focused on the tiled floor beneath her feet. Across from her, sat Lola and Allan, looking down the hall. Val sighed, stood up straight and began to pace back and forth. Lola noticed this, and spoke up.

“Pacing won’t do you any good.”

Val paused and looked at her. “I have to do something, don’t I?” She folded her arms again. “I mean, Jo’s laying in there, and I’m just out here doing nothing.“

“There’s nothing you can do right now,” Lola said. “Just try to be patient.”

Inside the room, Jo lay in her bed, sound asleep. Sitting beside her, was Veronica. Her hands were clasped in her lap, and she couldn’t seem to take her eyes off of Jo. Is it weird that I’m just sitting here, staring at her? she wondered. I wonder what she would say if she woke up right now…

“How long have you been siting there?”

Veronica nearly jumped out of her skin. Jo’s eyes were slightly open, and she was smiling at her. Veronica moved her chair closer to the bed. “Hey, you. You had everyone worried, you know.”

“Everyone’s worried about me?” Jo said, her voice groggy from sleep. “It’s supposed to be the other way around.”

Veronica laughed softly. “I’m glad you’re awake.” She stood up from her seat. “I should go tell Val and the others. I know they’ll want to see you.”

Jo nodded slowly. “I meant to tell you something. You look nice with your hair like that.”

Veronica’s eyes grew wide, and she felt her face turn red. “What?”

“Your hair,” Jo said. “I’m glad you washed that fuchsia dye out of it. You’re a good looking brunette, you know.”

Veronica shyly looked away. “Uh, thanks Jo.”

“I think you and I should hang out more, when I get out of here,” Jo said.

“Hang out?” Veronica said. “Us? What, like on a date?”

Jo shrugged. “Why not?”

“Well, I mean,” Veronica began, “I’m not gay.”

Jo winked at her. “Nobody’s perfect.”

Veronica stared at her for a moment, then giggled and said, “Come on, Jo! The two of us? On a date?”

“I happen to make for very good company,” Jo said, defensively.

“I don’t doubt that,” Veronica said.

“Then it’s settled,” Jo said. “We’re going out. We can decide where and when later.”

Veronica cocked an eyebrow at her. “Okay, Jo. I’ll get Val and the others now.” She opened the door to the room, and stuck her head out into the hallway. “She’s awake.”

Allan and Lola stood up, and Val gasped in surprise. “Is she talking?” Val asked.

“Oh, she’s talking,” Veronica said. She stepped aside so the three of them could enter. Lola, Allan and Val gathered around Jo’s bed, while Veronica stood back. As she watched her cousin and her friends ask Jo a million questions about how she was feeling, she began to wonder about going on a date with Jo, and she wondered why the idea actually made her happy.

End of preview