Olivia lay next to Rick on the blanket, still coming down from her sex high. Maybe because it was their last night in the temple, or because they weren’t hiding their feelings, the sex had been incredible. Whether it was luck or fate or Aphrodite, they were meant to be together.
She traced a finger across his lips. “I’m kind of sad we won’t have any more chances to worship the goddess.”
“Me, too. But that hotel’s going to be sweet. We can wake up together every morning.”
“Mmm.” She shivered. “Morning sex. We’ve never done that.”
“Don’t forget about shower sex.”
“Yes, please. Preferably with hot water.” Though she was excited for Athens, she didn’t want to dwell on what came next. After they parted, the earliest she’d see him would be December. But he’d promised to keep in touch. If they stayed open and honest, they could make it work.
He pushed a stray curl out of her face. “I love you.”
“I love you, too. I’m so glad we didn’t miss this last week of field school. Or Athens. Or whatever our next adventure might be.”
He grinned at her. “Speaking of which, I had a brilliant idea. Hear me out, okay?”
“Brilliant? You sound like TJ. But since it’s your birthday, I’ll allow it.” Though she kept her voice light, her heart leapt in anticipation. Had he changed his plans?
“This Turkey gig is based in Bodrum. It’s a harbor town like Paphos, right on the Aegean Sea. Kind of touristy in the summer, but it quiets down in the fall. The weather in September and October is perfect.”
She poked him in the shoulder. “Stop making me jealous. Fall in Los Angeles means Santa Ana winds and wildfires.”
He still had a gleam in his eyes. “You’re ABD, right? Not on the hook for any classes?”
“Nope. I don’t even have to work as a teaching assistant next year. I got a research scholarship, but I’ll probably be done with my research after I leave Athens. Once I get home, I need to start writing. Why?”
“Could you do this writing in Turkey? Or add to your research there? This shipwreck is from the same era as your thesis. And it held an enormous cache of wine bottles.”
Her breath caught. Go to Turkey? With Rick? She’d never considered it. “Well…my dissertation is about Hellenistic Greece, but I could expand my thesis. Dr. Roth suggested it when we were talking at dinner one night. I started researching the trade activity in Turkey when I was holed up in the camp library.”
The more she thought about it, the more exciting it seemed. Even if she didn’t add to her dissertation, she could get enough material to write an article. Maybe present it at next year’s AIA meetings. If she went to Turkey, she’d get to visit a new country. Work on a new project. And she’d be with Rick.
“What do you think?” His voice rose in enthusiasm. “I’d love it if you joined me.”
She cast him a playful smile. “You realize you’re throwing me off-kilter? I usually plan things months in advance.”
“That’s not what happened with this field school. You got asked at the last minute, and look how well it turned out.”
“True.” Even if she’d struggled at first, her life had changed for the better, all because she’d taken a risk. “It sounds like a great opportunity, but I can’t just show up uninvited, can I?”
He gave her a sheepish grin. “Don’t kill me, but I might have paved the way. I asked Dr. Kaplan if I brought my girlfriend—who also happens to be an archaeologist—whether he could find room for her on the project. Once I wowed him with your credentials, he was on board.”
The words filled her with a swell of happiness. “You called me that?”
“My girlfriend? Sure. It’s true, right?”
“Not that. Of course I’m your girlfriend. You called me an archaeologist.”
“Because that’s what you are. Even if you never go back in the field again, you proved yourself this summer.”
“I’m definitely going back into the field. Just try and stop me.” The thought of it was a tantalizing lure. The world was wide-open, with opportunities waiting to be taken. The boyfriend thing was pretty sweet, too.
“If you came to Turkey, Dr. Kaplan said you’d be welcome to help out in the lab as a paid assistant. But if you wanted to focus mainly on writing, that would work, too. Even if you don’t get a ton of writing done, the project only goes through mid-November. You’d have the rest of the academic year to finish your dissertation.”
When he put it that way, the idea sounded doable. Not just doable, but a lot more appealing than flying back to LA. She could easily change her ticket home, and it wouldn’t cost much to fly from Athens to Bodrum.
“What about after?” she asked. “You think you’ll want to go back to California?”
“Definitely. Dr. Roth’s recommendation will be good whenever I need it. But first, I have to visit my family. Last night, I called my mom and told her I’d be home for Thanksgiving. She said I’d be welcome, no matter what.”
“That’s wonderful. What about your dad?”
“Maybe she stood up to him? I don’t know. But I’m excited to see her and Cassie again. After the holidays, I’ll start looking for a place in Southern California. Near my girlfriend.”
“That would be perfect.” She’d have to tell her parents she was going to Turkey, and she’d need to notify her academic adviser. But those were minor details. The thought of more archaeology, more travel, and more time with Rick was too good to pass up.
Her future was unfolding like a wonderful map, full of mysterious islands and uncharted waters. She couldn’t wait to experience all of it.
“When we’re in Turkey, could we visit Ephesus?” she asked. “And Aphrodisias? They’re two of the most important sites in the ancient world.”
“We can do that.” He gave her an indulgent smile. “Don’t forget the city of Troy. I know how much you love The Iliad.”
“Yes. And maybe check out Istanbul? I’ve always wanted to go there.”
He leaned over and kissed her forehead. “Of course. This is just the beginning.”
Thank you for reading Field Rules!
I hope you enjoyed Rick and Olivia’s story.
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Want more Sofia? Check out her novella in Fiesta Nights, a Latinx romance anthology releasing September 15, 2022.
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