Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 61922 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 310(@200wpm)___ 248(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61922 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 310(@200wpm)___ 248(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
“Where are you from?” I inquired, curious in spite of myself.
“Oakland originally, but I’ve lived in LA—West Hollywood specifically—for oh…thirteen years now, give or take. Have you ever been to LA?”
“I have not.”
Winnie gave an exaggerated gasp. “Really? I would have thought you’d been all over the world.”
“Yes, but for work primarily—to attend conferences or to occasionally give speeches,” I replied.
“About ancient Egyptians.”
“As well as ancient Greek and Roman civilizations.”
“Raine told me you’re an expert in your field.”
“I—well, yes, I suppose I am,” I agreed with a slight shrug.
“Don’t be shy, Professor.”
“Very well…I’m an expert in ancient studies,” I conceded. “It’s been my focus for over twenty-five years.”
Winnie gaped in awe. “That’s incredible, but I gotta ask…why? Why Egypt? Why Greece? What makes cultures that have been gone for thousands of years interesting? That’s a sincere question because I’m low-key jelly.”
“Jelly?”
“Jealous,” he translated.
I furrowed my brow in confusion. “Do you harbor a secret proclivity for history or—”
“Ew! No.” He covered my hand and squeezed it, igniting a flurry of butterflies in my stomach. “Don’t be offended. I love old myths, but I’m more of an expert in modern studies. I can tell you anything you want to know about modern music, fashion, entertainment, and who’s who and what’s what on social media. My high school algebra teacher told me I was pop culturally precocious after he failed my ass in algebra. I don’t like numbers, but I like people. Well…most people.”
“I see.”
I didn’t. I didn’t see anything at all, but I was enchanted nonetheless.
Winnie was enigmatically captivating. Every word he spoke should have erected an impenetrable barrier between us, yet somehow, I was more interested in him than ever. Simply put, I was a proverbial moth drawn to a brilliant, rather eccentric flame.
I was a product of modern times by birth only. I used technology to advance my knowledge of the past…not for the sake of entertainment. That made Winnie my reverse doppelganger. A person with whom I didn’t have a single thing in common. My extreme opposite, my paradoxical counter.
Now, that wasn’t a surprise. I was reserved, Winnie was not. I was quiet, Winnie was not. I was committed to my studies, while Winnie was seemingly “figuring himself out.” Neither of us would have ever chosen to share a cup of tea, let alone spend a month traveling together, and yet…here we were.
“So what’s with old Egypt? Why is it special?” Winnie prodded, pulling me from my reverie. “What made you curious about it?”
I furrowed my brow. “Well, if you must know…”
“I must,” he gushed in a campy tone, propping a hand under his opposite elbow and tracing his jawline with a delicate brush of his forefinger.
“My nan gave me an illustrated book about Antony and Cleopatra when I was nine years old, and I’ve been hooked ever since.”
Winnie smacked my shoulder. “You closet romantic, you! Same here. Nothing in the closet about me, though. Hell-o!”
“No, I’m not a romantic.” I snorted derisively. “But their story is fascinating because it straddles Rome at its most powerful and Egypt at its decline. I found myself wanting to know more about both. I haunted libraries and the Internet for information, compiled data of my own, and eventually made a career of it.”
“See? That’s why I’m jealous. You have a passion, and you’re living for it.” He clapped his hands and leaned forward. “I want that. I’m a stylist and the passion is there, but something must be missing because I’ve been passed over for three promotions in a row.”
“Have you spoken to your supervisor?” I asked.
“Not since the first time. Lawrence has told me to be patient more than once, and I’ve had the patience of a damn saint, but now…I think I might need to move on. I just hate the idea of making a change and—” Winnie raised both hands and shook his head. “Let’s not talk about that. I’m not taking bad vibes with me to Paris. Only happiness. So…back to you and the Egyptians.”
“There’s nothing more to add. I enjoy history, and there are over three thousand years’ worth of successive dynasties to explore. Enough to keep me busy for a lifetime.”
“Hmm.” He straightened his long legs in front of him. “Well, I obviously can’t help with the work part of this trip, but I can run errands and make reservations for you. Just say the word, and it’s done.”
“Thank you. I don’t anticipate needing much help, to be honest. You’re free to sightsee and do whatever you want in the city.”
“Not without you, Professor. We’re peanut butter and jelly this month.”
“That’s not necessary,” I assured him. “You’ve never been to Paris and—”
“We’ll see it together. It’ll be tray mag-nif-eek.”
That wasn’t going to happen, but I had a feeling it was best to keep mum. Once we arrived in Paris, my work would dictate my schedule and Winnie could entertain himself.