Page 78 of Tour Wars
“Sofia’s dying to go there and check it out. Like, she somehow presumes she could machete her way through the jungle and visit the site.” Olivia snorted. “But we both agreed we should plan a group trip to the Yucatán Peninsula next year. Wouldn’t that be a blast? I’ve been to Mexico to visit my dad’s relatives but never to that part of the country.”
They spent the rest of dinner talking about the Maya temples they wanted to visit, and Emilia recounted her experiences digging at Calakmul, a site buried deep in the jungle.
But that night, while in bed with the three cats snuggled beside her, she picked up her phone and looked at her last text from TJ. By now, she’d read it dozens of times.
Em, I miss you so much it hurts. Out of respect for your wishes, I won’t text you anymore. I hope things work out for you in California.
Her fingers hovered over the screen as she considered responding. She wanted to tell him how much she missed him. That she wished she could have stayed in Italy and that they could have spent their weekends sneaking off to Naples and Sorrento.
But her life wasn’t like Rick and Olivia’s. Fate might have smiled on them, but she’d always been a fickle bitch to Emilia.
With a sigh, she set her phone on the nightstand and turned out the light.
For now, it was best to relegate TJ to her dreams. The reality was just too painful.
CHAPTERTHIRTY-ONE
Upon leaving Pompeii at the end of a long workday, TJ made it to the station as the train pulled up. He hopped in quickly, but when a familiar voice ordered him to hold the door, he braced himself against it.
Marie dashed inside and claimed the first available seat. “Thanks. I hate waiting, especially on a Friday.”
“Same here.” He snagged the seat across from her and raised his voice so she could hear him. “Any big plans for the weekend?”
She blew out a frustrated breath. “I wish, but all those getaways to the Amalfi Coast have started adding up. I need some extra cash, so I agreed to give tours this weekend. Maybe we’ll get paired up together. That could be fun.”
He was surprised to hear her say it, given that she’d been ignoring him ever since she’d taken up with Paulo. “Sorry, but I worked the last four weekends in a row, so I’m taking a break this Saturday. I’m headed to Naples to meet with my friends Cesca and Davis.”
“Are they archaeologists, too?”
“No. She works for Roman Pathways Tours, and he’s a travel influencer.”
He’d been pleased when Davis had contacted him about getting together. They’d chosen to meet in Naples since Cesca would be home visiting her family, and she’d promised to take them to her favorite bars in the city.
Marie made a face. “Davis? Is he the YouTube guy who was on your tour? I heardallabout him and Emilia.”
A burst of anger flared up inside of TJ. After Emilia left Italy, he hadn’t revealed the truth to anyone. When pressed, he’d told the others she’d had a disagreement with the Robertis, but he’d never breathed a word about Luca, Davis, or the accusations Angelo had made. “What are you talking about?”
“Last weekend, Chloe gave a couple of tours, and she asked Giada why Emilia left Pompeii so suddenly. Apparently, Em was fired after she slept with Davis to boost the company’s ratings. She hardly seems the type to seduce anyone, but that’s a sleazy thing to do.”
TJ clenched his fists. He willed himself not to go on an expletive-laden rant against Giada or Angelo. Marie didn’t deserve to be subject to that, not when she was only parroting what she’d heard. But she needed to know the truth. He’d kept quiet to protect Emilia, but he didn’t want anyone judging her for a crime she hadn’t committed.
“That’s total bullshit,” he said. “Angelo’s nephew Luca made that stuff up. Emilia didn’t sleep with Davis.”
“How do you know?”
What did it matter if he fessed up now? “Because Emilia and I were together. We didn’t want to get in trouble for breaking the rules, so we kept it quiet.”
“Wait. What?” Marie’s voice was so loud that the businessman sitting next to her glared at them. “You and Emilia? But she couldn’t stand you.”
“Not at first, but…” A ghost of a smile crossed his face. “We grew closer on the tour.”
“Did you tell the Robertis that?” she asked.
“No, but I stood up for Emilia. I told them there’s no way she would have slept with Davis. It would have been a total conflict of interest.”
The train came to a sudden halt, rocking TJ so much he almost fell off his seat. He grabbed the metal bar next to him and clutched on tightly. Of all the times to be stuck on the train, why did it have to be now when Marie was staring him down with murder in her eyes?
“You mean to tell me those assholes fired Emilia on false pretenses?” she said. “And you were okay with it? What the hell, TJ?”
