Page 88 of Tour Wars
“No worries. Dusty took off ten minutes ago so she could grab the table. If anyone challenges her, she’ll take them down.”
“Perfect. Let’s go.”
As they walked down the hall, she passed a few anxious-looking men and women clutching briefcases. In all likelihood, they were grad students, coming from their interviews. She gave an involuntary shudder, grateful neither she nor TJ had to worry about finding a job.
After moving out to California last January, he’d started working at the Getty Villa, a position that suited him perfectly since it involved research, exhibit preparation, and a fair amount of schmoozing. She’d stayed on with Rick’s crew in Ventura County until she learned she’d received a Postdoctoral Fellowship from the Getty Conservation Institute. Not only was it an incredible opportunity, but the benefits included a generous stipend, a study trip allowance, and an apartment in the Getty Scholars housing complex. No one had been more excited for her than TJ, who’d immediately booked them a romantic getaway at a seaside hotel in Laguna Beach.
She’d started her fellowship in September, and TJ had moved in with her shortly after that. Together, they were learning to cook, and they’d even adopted a kitten.
It was hard to believe that just two years ago, they’d clashed at this very same conference. Now they were attending it as a couple, both representing the Getty with all their expenses comped. Life didn’t get much better than that.
When they reached the restaurant, she scoured the crowd, hoping to find her friends. Dusty waved them over. She and Stuart were sitting at a six-top laden with beverages.
Emilia grabbed a seat across from Dusty. “Whoa. Got enough to drink?”
“I ordered a round for all of us since our server was getting antsy,” Dusty said. “A mojito for you, an IPA for TJ, white wine for me and Stuart, and two brandy sours for Rick and Olivia.”
“Thanks,” TJ said, sitting beside Emilia. “I’ll get the next round.”
“Hell, yes,” Dusty said. “You can write it off to the Getty’s tab, Mr. Big Shot.”
A few minutes later, Rick and Olivia joined them, grabbing the last two chairs. When Dusty passed Olivia a cocktail, she squealed with delight. “Is this a brandy sour? Thanks! That drink brings backsomany memories of Cyprus.” She flashed Rick a quick grin.
He raised his cocktail glass in a salute. “It sure does. Sorry for being late, but Olivia’s session was on the other side of the hotel. I’m so annoyed they scheduled her talk and Emilia’s at the same time. Sorry we missed your presentation, Em.”
“It’s fine. All the sessions are being recorded.” Emilia held up her glass. “Time for a toast. Here’s to all of us and to a summer filled with more adventures.”
After everyone clinked glasses, Dusty spoke up. “What’s going on this summer?”
Emilia couldn’t help but grin. “The Getty Conservation Institute is sending me to Pompeii for two weeks in July. I’ll be working with a couple of Italian conservation experts to study the wall paintings at the House of Venus.”
“No way!” Dusty smacked the table. “Here you thought you’d ‘never work in Pompeii again.’ Isn’t that what Dr. Roberti told you?”
“He did, but the joke’s on him. Apparently, he’s not at Pompeii any longer. He was replaced, though I’m not sure what happened. Something about a misappropriation of funds? I asked Paulo to sniff around for gossip.”
Last winter, Emilia had reached out to Paulo and apologized for leaving Italy so abruptly. Over the past year, she’d stayed in touch with him and a few others from the Via Stabiana Project, including Marie, who’d warmed up to her considerably.
“Are you going to Pompeii, too?” Olivia asked TJ.
“Definitely. Gonna do a little recon for an exhibit the villa is planning for next year. A joint venture with the Conservation folks. This time, Em and I aren’t staying in a cheap hostel. Five-star hotels all the way.”
Emilia shivered with excitement. Even if she and TJ spent every night together at their apartment, nothing beat the allure of hotel sex. “After Pompeii, we’re going to take some vacation time and travel a little. I have to admit, I’ve missed the Mediterranean a lot.”
“I’ve got news, too,” Olivia said. “I was asked to serve as the assistant director of the University of California field school in Cyprus. The same one where Rick and I met. Luckily, it starts in July, so it won’t interfere with our wedding in June.”
Emilia had been thrilled when Olivia and Rick had announced their engagement, and she’d had fun helping Olivia and Sofia plan the wedding.
“Are you going to join her?” she asked Rick. “You can’t miss a chance to go back to Cyprus.”
“Yep. I’ll be helping with the survey component of the field school sincesomeone—not naming any names—still has no sense of direction.” He tossed Olivia a teasing grin.
“Hey, I’m not that bad,” she said. “As long as I have a GPS, I don’t get lost. Well, not much, anyway.”
Stuart gestured toward Olivia with his wineglass. “If you and Rick are going to be in Cyprus for the summer, you should jet over to Turkey afterward. Dusty and I will be going back there in July. I got full funding for two more dig seasons at Troy.”
Dusty nodded. “I can’t wait. I just got a commission to illustrate a new translation ofThe Iliad, so I’ll be splitting my time between that and my archaeological illustrations.” She gestured to Emilia. “If you and TJ want to visit after you’re done in Italy, you could come join us, too.”
“We’d love to have you there,” Stuart added.
