Read Online Renaissance: A Contemporary Erotic Romance (Iris Series Book 5) by Rebecca Lynn - Free Book Online
Authors: Rebecca Lynn
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and it fizzled and died quickly. We’re still friendly, but she lives in a different state so we don’t talk much. There’s no reason to, I guess,” he shrugged. “But for you, I imagine after spending so many years with someone, and then in such a public way, it couldn’t have been easy to go through what you went through.”
“It wasn’t, but I’m determined to pick myself up and move on, be stronger than I was.” She was wondering where this was going. “So, what do you do with your spare time?”
He smiled. “I like to read too. Traveling is probably what I love to do most, when I can. I love history, learning about different cultures, looking at different architecture.”
“That makes sense given your career choice.”
“Here we are,” he said as they arrived to the bar. “Have you ever heard of this place?”
She looked up at the name and shook her head.
“I’ve heard good things about it,” he said as he opened the door.
They entered into the intimate club and found a seating area in the back. Once they were settled, they ordered and waited for their drinks. The next fifteen minutes were spent continuing their earlier conversation about their likes, dislikes, their families.
By the time the second set of drinks arrived, Tiffany was feeling comfortable, like she’d known Todd forever. She didn’t feel one bit of nervousness around him. She couldn’t tell if that was a good thing or not.
About 45 minutes in, the conversation made a turn.
He leaned forward, his fingers playing with the bottom of his martini glass. “So, will you be bringing someone to the fundraiser at the end of the month?”
She smirked. “No. I’ll have too many things to worry about that night without having to make sure a date is comfortable.”
“Unless your date was someone who was already going to be there and knew how to take care of himself,” he said pointedly.
She thought of Drew. He would be there because he was going to be one of the volunteer instructors. But she knew Todd was referring to himself and she was trying to extricate herself delicately from the situation. Todd was handsome, interesting, and very sweet, but she didn’t feel any sexual feelings toward him. She didn’t want to lead him to think otherwise, but then she mentally sighed. He was a really nice guy, and was certainly easy on the eyes. But if there was one huge lesson she learned from her marriage, it was honesty.
“True. But I do think it would be best on that night not to be focused on anything or anyone other than my goal for the evening, which is to make lots and lots of money to help little girls in Harlem.”
He smiled sheepishly. “You know what I’m asking, Tiffany.”
She smiled back. “I do. And just for the record, I think you’re a great guy. Handsome, smart, and really nice.”
“Ugh,” he chuckled. “I know where this is going.”
She laughed. “I like you, Todd. But I’m not sure I like you in that way. ” She gave him a sympathetic but honest look. “I’m having a good time tonight, and I enjoy your company and appreciate our friendship. I just don’t know if it will go past that. If you’re okay with that, then I hope we can continue to be friends.”
He leaned back and studied her. “I should be thankful that you’re a straight shooter, and a woman who doesn’t play games.”
“Why do I feel like there’s a ‘but’ in there?”
He smiled. “No ‘but’. Just disappointed. Wishing I can change your mind.”
She looked at him and sighed. “Attraction is a strange thing, isn’t it?” She propped her chin on her hand. “There are some people you’re immediately drawn to, who affect you on a chemical, biological, and sexual level. There’s that spark, that hum of awareness.” She pictured Drew. “And there are others you can’t stand being around, who suck all of the positive energy out of
“It wasn’t, but I’m determined to pick myself up and move on, be stronger than I was.” She was wondering where this was going. “So, what do you do with your spare time?”
He smiled. “I like to read too. Traveling is probably what I love to do most, when I can. I love history, learning about different cultures, looking at different architecture.”
“That makes sense given your career choice.”
“Here we are,” he said as they arrived to the bar. “Have you ever heard of this place?”
She looked up at the name and shook her head.
“I’ve heard good things about it,” he said as he opened the door.
They entered into the intimate club and found a seating area in the back. Once they were settled, they ordered and waited for their drinks. The next fifteen minutes were spent continuing their earlier conversation about their likes, dislikes, their families.
By the time the second set of drinks arrived, Tiffany was feeling comfortable, like she’d known Todd forever. She didn’t feel one bit of nervousness around him. She couldn’t tell if that was a good thing or not.
About 45 minutes in, the conversation made a turn.
He leaned forward, his fingers playing with the bottom of his martini glass. “So, will you be bringing someone to the fundraiser at the end of the month?”
She smirked. “No. I’ll have too many things to worry about that night without having to make sure a date is comfortable.”
“Unless your date was someone who was already going to be there and knew how to take care of himself,” he said pointedly.
She thought of Drew. He would be there because he was going to be one of the volunteer instructors. But she knew Todd was referring to himself and she was trying to extricate herself delicately from the situation. Todd was handsome, interesting, and very sweet, but she didn’t feel any sexual feelings toward him. She didn’t want to lead him to think otherwise, but then she mentally sighed. He was a really nice guy, and was certainly easy on the eyes. But if there was one huge lesson she learned from her marriage, it was honesty.
“True. But I do think it would be best on that night not to be focused on anything or anyone other than my goal for the evening, which is to make lots and lots of money to help little girls in Harlem.”
He smiled sheepishly. “You know what I’m asking, Tiffany.”
She smiled back. “I do. And just for the record, I think you’re a great guy. Handsome, smart, and really nice.”
“Ugh,” he chuckled. “I know where this is going.”
She laughed. “I like you, Todd. But I’m not sure I like you in that way. ” She gave him a sympathetic but honest look. “I’m having a good time tonight, and I enjoy your company and appreciate our friendship. I just don’t know if it will go past that. If you’re okay with that, then I hope we can continue to be friends.”
He leaned back and studied her. “I should be thankful that you’re a straight shooter, and a woman who doesn’t play games.”
“Why do I feel like there’s a ‘but’ in there?”
He smiled. “No ‘but’. Just disappointed. Wishing I can change your mind.”
She looked at him and sighed. “Attraction is a strange thing, isn’t it?” She propped her chin on her hand. “There are some people you’re immediately drawn to, who affect you on a chemical, biological, and sexual level. There’s that spark, that hum of awareness.” She pictured Drew. “And there are others you can’t stand being around, who suck all of the positive energy out of
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