Renaissance: A Contemporary Erotic Romance (Iris Series Book 5) (12 page)

“Don’t look at me,” Tiffany groused.  “You never shared why you were changing your relationship status with me.”

“Uh, huh,” was all he said.

“Ooh, this looks like a story I need to hear.  But I have to call Pop first.  Don’t say anything until I’m off this phone.”  She quickly dialed.  “Hey, Pop.  I’m coming home, ‘kay?  No, no.  It’s okay…I was able to find another date for Drew.”  She wiggled her eyebrows at them as she spoke.  “Some hot number he’d rather spend time with over me anyway,” she barked with a laugh.  “So I’ll see you in about four hours.  I’ve got to get my stuff from Drew’s place then I’ll be on my way…No, I’m not there right now.  Remember that woman Drew told us about who’s starting the foundation for girls in Harlem?  Yeah, I’m at her place in the City right now…she’s the one going to the concert.  Yeah, I’m already way ahead of you on that…Yeah, I
know
Pop, I’m on it.”  She wiggled her eyebrows again at Drew.

Drew rolled his eyes again, and shook his head.  Meanwhile Tiffany tried not to laugh at his family’s matchmaking.

His sister only smiled brilliantly, said goodbye to her father, and then crossed her arms over her ample bosom.  “Alright, let’s head back to your place and you can spill the beans about what I’ve apparently been missing in your life.”  She turned to Tiffany.  “I’m not saying goodbye to you because I know I’ll be seeing you again.  But I am going to say I’m thrilled I finally got to meet you.”  She gave Tiffany a huge hug and whispered, “You’re perfect for him.”

Tiffany was sure Drew heard it, so she tried to cover up the conversation with “I’m thrilled I got to meet you, too.”

“I’ll text you my girlfriends’ contact info.  I’ll get your number from Drew.”

“Will do.  And next time you’re in the City, I owe you a dinner,” Tiffany smiled.

“You got it,” Carly smiled back.

“I hope your daughter’s okay.”

“Trust me, she’ll be fine.  But thanks for the sentiment.” She turned to Drew, then paused.  “Actually, why doesn’t Tiffany just come with us?  I’ll get my stuff, then you two can grab a bite to eat before the concert like we’d planned.”

“How have I ever remained single with you around?”

“I have no idea.  It hasn’t been for lack of trying on my part, that’s for sure,” Carly said in a droll tone. 

Drew continued shaking his head.  “I’m capable of taking care of the details from this point on, thanks.”

“Just helpin’ a brother out,” Carly smiled.

Drew looked over at Tiffany who was enjoying the banter but nervous as hell, wondering how the evening would unfold.

“Do you want to go tonight?” he asked quietly.

“I’ll just go get us a cab,” Carly chirped and walked out the door leaving them alone.

Tiffany’s nerves ratcheted up now that the silence surrounded them.  “I don’t want to put you in an awkward position tonight,” she said.

“I know Carly is like a bull in a china shop, so if you’re not interested, that’s okay.  Plus, I wouldn’t want to cause any problems with you and the architect.”  His look was dry.

Tiffany couldn’t help but hear the sarcasm.  She crossed her arms.  “What about Katrina?  She won’t be upset that you’re going to a concert with another woman?”

“We’re going out as friends.  I’ll explain the circumstances and she’ll understand.”  He paused and smirked.  “What about Todd?”

“I told you last night, it’s casual.”

“Good then.  Do you want to go tonight?”

Carly knocked on the glass, letting them know that a cab had arrived. 

“It’s not a difficult question, Tiff.  Unless you’re afraid I’ll make a bigger impression than the architect.”  His lazy grin made her want to either kick him or kiss him.

“Not at all, Doc.  I’m fine with going.  Do you want to?”

“I think it’ll be fun.  And you can tell Todd not to worry.  I plan on being a perfect gentleman with you tonight.”

Well, that’s too bad.
 

She gave him a look and said while she was grabbing her things, “I remember all too well you’re feelings about being a gentleman.  I’m paying for dinner, by the way.”

“We’ll see,” he shrugged, as they headed out the door and Tiffany locked up.

The cab ride was filled with lively conversation as they headed to Drew’s place.  The two of them were peppered with questions regarding Drew’s dating history, which he was close-lipped about, and how excited Carly was about Tiffany being able to enjoy a night out with Coldplay.

Once they arrived to Drew’s apartment, Carly quickly packed, gave them both bear hugs, then jumped into her car to head back home, leaving Tiffany and Drew alone in his living room.

Again, the silence settled around them, and their eyes finally met as Drew stood by the door.  He leaned back casually along its frame, watching her intently.  To alleviate some of the tension she was feeling, Tiffany walked around, looking at his place.  It was nice, with clean lines and masculine furniture and a very open floor plan.  His taste was casual but expensive, with leather pieces and beautiful but massive wood furniture. 

She finally turned to him and took a deep breath.  “So.  I’m just going to be honest.  I’m feeling weird being here because of Katrina,” she said, her hands fluttering slightly.  “I don’t think she’d be happy to know you had another woman at your place.”

She now recognized that look in his eyes with its innocent yet sarcastic glint, and a smirk sat on his lips.  Pushing off the wall, he began walking slowly to her.  “Would you prefer not to go tonight?  You seem uncomfortable.”

“I guess I –,” she began, trying to think of what to say, then her mouth just took off.  “We’re going as friends, I know.  Obviously we’re going as friends.  But I don’t ever want to be seen as the other woman.  I know you said you’d tell Katrina we were going out tonight, and maybe she won’t even care because I’m sure she feels secure with your relationship because you
are
dating her and you’re obviously happy with her, and I’m the one who’s overthinking this.  It’s certainly presumptuous of me to think you have feelings other than ones for her and I just want to make sure she’s okay with us going out because –”

“Tiff,” he said quietly, effectively stopping her words.  He’d somehow made his way over to her during her tirade and was standing before her.  “Sit down, okay?”

She let out an inelegant breath, then shook her head.  “Ridiculous,” she muttered.  She absolutely hated how nervous he made her.

He chuckled.  “What is?”

That you make me so friggin’ nervous!

“Nothing,” she grumbled.

He watched her with an amused look, then got serious.  “I appreciate the fact that you worry about how it will look to her.  I promise you I’ll call her and explain the situation.”

“And she’ll be okay with it?  I mean, does she know –?”  She stopped.

“Does she know what?”  There was that damn innocent look again.  He wasn’t making this easy for her.

She glared at him.  “Does she know that we, you know, kissed?  That we went out?”

He nodded, still staring at her with that amused smile on his lips.

“Oh.”  And she would be okay with them going out?  She didn’t know if she liked that thought.  Why wouldn’t she be upset?  “Well,” she harrumphed.  “Okay, then.”  Then she added, just to see his reaction, “Maybe I should call Todd just to be sure it wouldn’t bother him.”

“If you think it’s necessary.  Given how casual you said it was, and his lack of
impression
on you,” he said getting up, “it probably won’t matter, right?  But don’t let me stop you.  I’ll go give Kat a call and I’m going to change real quick.  Be back in a couple of minutes.”

He disappeared down the hallway and Tiffany sat, grumbling to herself about his lack of reaction at her mention of Todd.  He didn’t show one iota of jealousy.  And why wouldn’t Katrina be upset?  The woman knew they’d gone out and had kissed, and she wouldn’t be upset that they were going out?  She was either really secure in herself, or really secure in her relationship with Drew.  Either way, it pissed her off.

And of course she wasn’t going to call Todd, she continued to grumble.  She’d been honest with him from the first moment, and it would be ridiculous for her to call him.  And somehow Drew figured that out.  Jerk.

She took a deep breath to calm herself then got up to walk around.  Minutes ticked by.  She stopped at a picture of what she presumed was his family from years ago.  There she saw his younger brother in fatigues, along with his father who was white, and his mom who was African American, Carly, and a younger Drew.  They all looked so happy.  Knowing they’d experienced such sadness shortly after the taking of that picture made her pause.

“That was taken before he left for Iraq.”

She turned, surprised, having not heard him.  He looked relaxed.  And why did he have to look so edible?  He had changed into a thin sweater over a t-shirt, which sculpted to his body.

“I figured.  It’s a great picture of all of you.”  He nodded then walked toward her. 

“Are you ready for dinner?” he asked casually.

“Did you call Katrina?”

“It’s already taken care of.”

She hesitated.  “What happened?”

“It’s okay, Tiff.”

She didn’t know why that annoyed her.  She’d assumed Katrina wouldn’t be happy about it.  She waited, then, “Fine.”

“Let’s get some dinner then.”

She picked up her purse and threw out, “I didn’t call Todd, by the way.”

“No?  Why’s that?”

She shrugged.  “I’m sure he’d be fine with it.”

“That’s good.  Because I would hate to be seen as the other
man
.”  He smirked.  “Ready?”

She sent him a withering look, then said, “Yup.”

They grabbed their coats and headed out down the hall, getting into the crowded elevator.  People jostled around, some joking about how everyone had to stand so close and it was good they all had on deodorant.  Tiffany, however couldn’t think of anything at all, not while her back was smashed to Drew’s front.  He breathed deeply behind her and rested his hand on her shoulder, shifting them slightly toward the front where he rested his shoulder along the wall.  She held her breath, her entire being focused on the five square inches where his hand rested.  His finger moved and sparks shot out from her skin.  Every time his hand pressed lightly into the shoulder muscle there, her core throbbed.  Her nipples tingled.  Did he have any idea what he did to her?

The doors opened, with everyone going their separate ways.  The two of them made it out to the street where they walked a little bit to find a cab.  Once inside, they settled in the seat, still quiet from when they’d left his place.

“You like Coldplay?” he asked.

She nodded.  “They’ve got a good vibe, don’t you think?”

“Yeah.” 

“Who do you usually listen to?”

“My mom loved Motown, and my dad loved Metallica,” he chuckled.  “So I grew up hearing them both.  Let’s just say I’m somewhere in between them.”  He cocked his head.  “How about you?”

“I’ve always loved Justin Timberlake.  I like his rhythm, but of course I love Spanish music.”

“Ah, yes.  The Salsa.”  His eyes twinkled.  “You do know how to shimmy and shake quite nicely, Ms. Daniels.”

All of their friends had gone out in December for her and Luke’s 33rd birthday.  Tiffany got to choose where, and Salsa dancing won out.

She shrugged but heated at the comment.  They talked for a few minutes about their favorite music, then the cab pulled up outside a restaurant on 34th Street near 10th Ave.  Moments later, they were seated in the bistro, sipping water and finally settling in waiting for their food.

“Carly loves Coldplay, I’m assuming?”

“Loves with a capital ‘L’.  Major crush on Chris Martin.”

“I feel bad that she didn’t get to go tonight.”

“She’s seen them a million times.  It’s not the end of the world.  My dad gets a little anxious when one of us gets sick, and because of what’s happened with my brother and my mom, he panics somewhat.  Knowing how he is, it’s better that she went home.”  He paused.  “I’m thinking it may be time to talk to him about that.  It cripples him at times, which isn’t good.”

“I can’t imagine how tough it is to have lost a child and a spouse.  It’s no wonder he has a hard time with it.”

He nodded.  “Yeah, but at the same time, it’s not healthy.  He’s older though.  I don’t know that anything will help necessarily.  He’s set in his ways, we just hate seeing him get upset.”  Drew sighed.  “Anyway.  How are your parents doing?”

“They’re good.  They travel a lot due to their careers, but have been home since the holidays, which is nice.  Sometimes they’re gone for months at a time.”  She thought about when she’d gone through her separation.  With her brother permanently in New York, her parents all over, and Tiffany living in Boston, she was the only one left to shake herself out of the funk in those beginning weeks.

“Is that hard?  When they’re gone for so long?”

“Sometimes it is.  But they love their jobs.  It’s been the best thing for me to move here.  I love being closer to them and Luke, not to mention to be so close to such great and new friends.  It was lonely in Boston, so I’m thrilled to be near the people I love now.  When I first met you last summer, I had just moved back here.”