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

They would be used by most of her friends who would be teaching various classes on disciplines or hobbies of which they were experts.  Along one side of the building was a private enclosed space designed to be a lounge for the staff, as well as Tiffany’s office and an area where girls could lay down if they were ever sick or needed to rest.  Finally, on the other side of the warehouse were locker rooms for the girls to store all of their belongings.
    But what made it truly an escape in the midst of Harlem was the design. She brimmed with excitement just looking at it.  The building was a feast for the eyes. Because of the exterior stone facade of the structure, and the name of the foundation, Tiffany had visions of castles and fairy tales when she’d first seen the space.  A huge fan of reading, she had always enjoyed escaping into the pages of a book set during another time. 
    With those thoughts in mind, the interior design was all fashioned with imaginative faux stone work throughout, along with touches of whimsy bringing to mind otherworldly villages and surreal hamlets.  Tiffany had Ryann to thank for much of the artistic aspects, since she had arranged to have some of her art students from the Institute help with the different mediums represented. 
    When people first walked in, they would see the mosaic tiled front of the reception counter appearing like a moat teaming with fish and frogs.  The entrance into the space past the counter had a little curved bridge so kids could cross over into the castle like area, and the art students would be finishing up other touches soon, like painting a happy goblin by the locker room entrance. 
    Nestled in the corner of the exercise area stood a tall paper mâchéd tree the art students still needed to finish painting. The contractor would be hanging ropey vines from the ceiling over the gym area where the tree branches would intertwine with the ivy, making one feel as if they were frolicking in the forest.  Each classroom exterior was made to look like a place to explore; the front of a cave, a tree house, or a comfortable and cozy cubbyhole. 
    But her absolute favorite part was the dragon.  Made from shimmery silver, green and purple taffetas and silks, the art students had sewn together a twenty foot dragon to fly over the locker room area.  It had yet to be hoisted up, but she knew without a doubt the girls would love this land of imagination.  It was sure to run amuck in this space, and Tiffany couldn’t be happier. 
    In addition to the design elements and all of the meetings with contractors and painters, Tiffany had spent the last several months getting certified in CPR, background checked, and researching all of the necessary licenses for the warehouse to be deemed safe for young girls.  She’d also interviewed several security firms so they could have a guard posted during their open hours to the public.  It was her plan to start some classes in May and through the summer, and then be ready for the after school programs in the fall.
    A knock on the glass front door pulled her from her thoughts.  She turned to see her architect, Todd Nielson, waving at her through the window. Tiffany smiled and went over to let him in.
    “Hey,” she said when she opened the door.
    “Hey yourself.”  The thirty something, comfortably artsy man walked in and dropped his messenger bag on the reception counter.  He had a ruffled handsome way about him, oozing confidence and a killer smile.  His firm had been recommended to her through Emily’s other cousin, Mark, who was an architect in Boston.  After running his hand through his dark blonde hair, Todd scratched at the scruff around his jaw and inspected her face and hair.  “You got a haircut,” he stated with a smile.  “It looks great,” he said sincerely.
    “Thank you, kind sir,” she bowed slightly and fluffed at her hair.  “How are you doing?”
    “Couldn’t be better.  But ready for spring,