Renaissance: A Contemporary Erotic Romance (Iris Series Book 5) Read Online Free

was all of five foot nothing but she’d laid the giant Michael Callahan on his back more than once while tangling with him on the mats.  And the NYPD sergeant loved every second of it.  He was always the first to happily tell people that Emily was more than capable of kicking his ass.
    “It’s hard to believe how much has happened,” said Ryann, the attractive auburn haired and hazel eyed woman.  She looked at her own engagement ring which had been put on her finger sometime in mid-December.  She and Jem had begun dating the summer before and their whirlwind romance seemed to inspire all of their friends, with Janie and Luke following suit with their own engagement on Christmas Eve.
    It had been through Ryann that Tiffany had actually met Drew.  As a surgeon who specialized in gunshot wounds, his services were unfortunately needed the previous 4 th of July when Ryann had been shot during a robbery at the Manhattan Institute for Art and Design where she worked.  That was how everyone had met him, and he had been welcomed into the circle of friends ever since.
    Ryann reached her hand out to Tiffany and squeezed her arm.  “How are you doing?”
    Tiffany knew she was asking about Drew.
    “I’m working on it,” Tiffany mumbled.  “I just don’t want to get involved with someone until I feel a little more fixed.”
    Janie snorted.  “When are any of us truly fixed, Tiff?”
    Ayanna joined in, agreeing.  “Seriously, right?”
    “Well,” Emily began, “as someone who’s been on the receiving end of all of your advice at one point or another, I can honestly say that the ‘baggage’ never goes away.  But it can be unpacked and rearranged so that it becomes more compartmentalized and manageable.  Then you start pickin’ through the stuff that’s in there and start chuckin’ it.  When you find the partner who can help you do that,” Emily said, “it’s all the better.”  She looked at Tiffany.  “I can think of someone who does a pretty good job of fixing people.  And there isn’t a doubt in my mind that he’d like to fix you, if you know what I mean.”  She wiggled her eyebrows.
    They all chuckled and Tiffany smiled, slightly embarrassed.  “I must be the most annoying person in the world to him.  I mean, it’s been months since the divorce, and even longer since I was with the jerk.  When the hell am I going to get out of my head and just live again?”
    “Richard did a number on you.  It’s understandable that it might take a while,” Janie said.
    “I guess.  I’m just so tired of feeling this way,” Tiffany responded.
    “Then stop,” Ayanna said, giving her a pointed look.
    Tiffany let her gaze meet all of her best friends’ eyes.  Ayanna was right.  It was past time.  And as Tiffany let her mind latch onto the possibilities before her, she nodded and made a decision.
    ……
    “Alright, Tony. I need a change.  It’s a new year, a new job, and a new life.  Do whatever you think is best,” Tiffany said to her hairdresser some days later while she looked at him in the mirror, her hair freshly washed.
    Tony rubbed his hands with glee.  “Music to my ears.  I’m gonna make you look even sexier than you already are, girlfriend.  Heteros and metros, beware.” 
    He grabbed his scissors and went to work.
    It had been nearly two months since New Year’s, and she had finally decided she was going to call Dr. Drew Huntington.  Even though they’d seen each other a week and a half earlier at the engagement party, they’d spoken only once at the gathering.  He was polite as always, but after months of allowing her insecurities to stand in the way of making her interest in him known, it was evident he didn’t know how to act around her.  Rather than proactively seeking her out at the party, he allowed her to be the one to make the first move if she wanted to talk.  And of course, since she’d still been working on her ‘issues’ and her ridiculous nerves