Page 86 of Troy Story
“Not an issue. His days in the field are over.”
After Dusty had revealed the professor’s subterfuge, he left the field house the next day. A week later, Stuart had been pleasantly surprised when Dr. Fiorelli called him with the best possible news. Dr. Hughes had informed the department chair of his retirement, claiming his health had taken a turn during his time at Troy. While it meant he wouldn’t be punished for what he’d done, he’d spared the university from further scandal.
Dusty set her phone back in her pocket. “Can I ask you something? It’s kind of personal.”
Her serious tone alarmed him. “Is everything okay?”
“It’s fine, but I wanted to know—that night in Boston two years ago, when you said, ‘It’s always been you.’ Did you mean it? What about Shelby?”
He sighed, wishing he hadn’t botched things so badly. “I did mean it, but it was complicated. When I was with Shelby, I thought she was the right person for me. Even when it was painfully obvious to everyone else that she didn’t respect me, I kept trying to make our relationship work. That’s why I stuck with her for longer than I should have.
“But as for you and me—there’s always been something special about us.” He stroked her hand. “Do you remember when we first met? I was this scared seven-year-old who dreaded the thought of living in Egypt for three months, but you convinced me it could be an adventure. Even at age six, you were a total badass.”
Dusty gave him a wistful smile. “We had a lot of fun, didn’t we? You were my favorite dig buddy. Every year, when my parents started packing up to go to Egypt for another season, I’d ask them, ‘Is Stuart’s family coming, too?’ I was fourteen when I started crushing on you.”
“I’ve got you beat. I was thirteen. Remember when we stole your dad’s brandy and got drunk for the first time? I was so wasted I almost told you how I felt.”
She laughed. “Good thing you didn’t because that night went horribly sideways. We both ended up huddled over the toilet, puking our guts out.”
He shuddered at the memory. “That was the worst. After that, I let my feelings simmer. We were such good friends that I didn’t want to mess things up. But the older we got, the more I wanted you. Except we didn’t want the same things out of life. Right before you left for college, you told me you couldn’t imagineevergetting married because you didn’t want anyone to tie you down or stop you from having adventures. I wasn’t like that. All the traveling my family did made me crave stability. That’s why I never had any luck with flings or one-night stands. It’s also why I stayed with Shelby for as long as I did.”
“I get it. For the record, seventeen-year-old me didn’t have a clue. There’s nothing wrong with settling down with the right person. Not that I’m in any hurry. I still want to have adventures, but I also want more than that. I want to be with you. For as long as you’ll have me.”
“I feel the same way. I’m so glad we’ll get to be together in Boston. But to answer your question, I meant it then, and I mean it now. It’s always been you, Dusty. You captured my heart a long time ago, and now you have it for real.”
“Aww, Stuart.” She blinked quickly. “You’ve turned me into such a sap.”
He loved that he’d softened her up. Still the same adventurous Dusty but with no qualms about showing her vulnerable side around him.
She peeked out the window. “We’re getting closer, I can feel it. I’m so glad you booked us our own private love nest. Did I tell you what my dad said when I told him about it?”
“I don’t think so.”
“He wanted to know where it was, so I sent him the Airbnb link. This is wild, but the last time he and my mom were in Istanbul, they stayed at a hotel on the same block. Apparently, the shop next door sells the best baklava in the city. He asked me to bring him a box.”
“Good to know. I was planning to buy some for my mom. And for us as well.” He grinned at her. “I never got any of that baklava from our romantic dinner in Güzelyali.”
“Sorry about that, but now we can share an entire box and eat itnaked.” She squeezed his arm. “I can’t wait to dive into bed with you. A king bed, if I’m not mistaken. Are you excited?”
“Of course.” Four nights alone with her, where they could indulge their secret desires and wake up together each morning. It was better than any of his fantasies.
But he was even more excited about what lay ahead. While the past two months at Troy had challenged his resolve, he’d finished the dig with a newfound sense of confidence. Instead of brimming with anxiety over the future, he was eager to start teaching at the university. Not only was he embarking upon a new life in Boston, but he’d also be sharing it with the woman he loved.
* * *
Just before sunrise,Dusty woke to the distinctive sound of the call to prayer. She peeked out the window. Still dark outside, but she could spot the lights of the nearby minaret where the muezzin was reciting the call. Even if it was only 5:00 a.m., she wasn’t tired.
After arriving in Istanbul last night, she and Stuart had tried to stay awake. They’d rambled through the Old City like a couple of tourists, grabbing doner kebab from a nearby restaurant and sharing a few beers. By the time they returned to their apartment, they were running on fumes. No sooner had they changed for bed than they crashed out immediately, too tired to attempt more than a good-night kiss.
But with the entire day ahead of them, plus three more nights, they still had plenty of chances for steamy shenanigans.
Dusty slipped out of bed and went into the bathroom to relieve herself. She looked ridiculous, clad in one of Stuart’s old T-shirts, which dwarfed her small frame. But last night, she’d been so wiped that she hadn’t unpacked anything except her toiletries case.
When she returned to the bedroom, Stuart was awake, lying on his side. “Good morning,” he said. “You doing okay?”
“I’m doing great. It’s astonishing what a full eight hours of sleep will do for you.”
“Sorry I conked out so early. I was exhausted.”
