Free The Five-Day Dig by Jennifer Malin Page A

little further?
    She wrote back and accepted but added a request for Liz to call her as soon as she got a chance.
    On her way to the breakfast room, her phone rang with the call. She explained her misgivings to Liz, and her friend assured her that in a worst-case scenario, they could leave the tour early.
    Thanking her, Winnie got into the elevator and pushed the button for the lobby. “I don’t think it will come to that, but it’s good to have the option. On a brighter note, I also wanted to tell you that I’m staying in Italy for two extra weeks. It’s bizarre, but I’ve been asked to translate inscriptions for an episode of ‘The Five-Day Dig.’ ”
    “That’s fantastic!” Liz sounded excited. “I know you were hoping to come up with a project while you’re here. And my flight home isn’t until Friday, so now you and I will have time to do some sightseeing.”
    “I’d love that.”   She watched the floor numbers light up and go out as the elevator descended. “What do you think about the opportunity, though? Have you seen the show?”
    “I’ve watched it a few times, but, frankly, their methods bother me. They cut corners, and I’m sure they damage artifacts in their rush to uncover ‘high-status’ finds on each episode.”
    Winnie bit her lower lip. “I got that impression, too. Of course, Chaz and I will try to prevent that sort of carelessness, if we witness it. He’s doing the show with me.”
    “I’ll feel better with you two keeping an eye on them.” Her friend paused. “It will be nice to have your TA working with you, especially such a cute one.”
    She couldn’t seem to come up with a response. Her lack of one made her look suspicious.
    Liz laughed. “Is there something going on between you two?”
    “Of course not. He’s too young for me.”
    “Cougars are fashionable these days.”
    “Ugh. I’m sure the thought would repulse him.” The elevator doors opened, and she stepped into the lobby, glancing around to make sure no one was within earshot. “If I have time to flirt with anyone during the filming, it’ll be Domenico Rentino.”
    “I approve of that plan, too. How does he fit into the picture?”
    Winnie filled her in on the details about the excavation, then hung up and went to the breakfast room.
    Chaz sat in a corner with a cup of cappuccino, thumb-typing into his smart phone. Just spotting his black mop of hair gave her a thrill, followed instantly by a rush of shame.
    Sensing her gaze, he looked up and smiled. He put his phone away and got up to join her at the breakfast buffet. “I was just e-mailing my mum. She wants to see me, so she’s paying for my flight home tomorrow. I’ll be back in a week.”
    “Oh, great.” She felt relieved. The time away from him would do her good.
    While they looked over a selection of baked goods, fruit and yogurt, she considered offering him a ride to the airport, but setting up a dramatic good-bye scene seemed unwise. Maybe after a week apart, she could relent on her self-imposed restrictions and pick him up.
    As if reading her mind, he said, “Dr. Farber is leaving at the same time, and he offered me a ride in his limo.” He grinned at her. “I’ll miss the Punto, though.”
    She laughed. “Then it will be all the sweeter next week when I pick you up in it.”
    “That will indeed be sweet. Thank you.”
    They chose breakfast items and sat down to talk about the details Dunk had e-mailed about the filming. After they’d gone over the information, she asked Chaz to tell her about his favorite episodes of “The Dig,” as he referred to it.
    He described several shows that revolved around fascinating Roman sites. All had all taken place in the early days of the program, she noticed. She suspected his enthusiasm for it hinged on getting his first glimpses into an era that captivated him, but she kept the thought to herself. Her opinion of the show didn’t change.
    As they wrapped up their meal, the party from Weiland U