Read Online Mixed up in March (Spring River Valley Book 3) by Clarice Wynter - Free Book Online Page B

look at George Todd who had clapped loudly. He did it again and again. Frank Eckert seemed uncertain at first, then he joined in. Soon both men were applauding.
    “I’m very impressed gentlemen,” Todd said.
    Ed looked like he was about to faint. Jared picked up the slack. “Thank you, sir. I hope you’ll consider us for the account.”
    “I think now you see why I had a hard time choosing,” Emerson said. “It’s a matter of style over substance.”
    Todd nodded. “I’ll admit I’m torn. Ten minutes ago I would have said hands down Metro, but now… Gentlemen, thank you. I’d like to speak to my people, and we’ll be in touch.”
    Emerson jumped up to lead them to the door. Jared would have given anything for a moment alone with her, but the look in her eyes told him not to say or do anything that would tip the scales, which he knew were precariously balanced at the moment. The last thing he heard before Emerson shut the door of the conference room was Frank Eckert saying, “George, if you don’t mind, I’d like to speak to Emerson for a moment, in private. We’ll be back in a few minutes.”
    The tone of his voice told Jared he’d finally made the connection as to where he knew Jared from. 

Chapter Nine
     
     
    Emerson followed Frank Eckert into his office on shaky legs. She’d seen the look on his face about halfway through Jared’s presentation and realized he knew he’d spoken to Jared on the phone in New York.
    She held up a hand the moment Frank shut the door. “Before you say anything—I met Jared Barton in New York before the presentation. There was a mix-up with our rooms because our names are similar.”
    “And that’s all?” Frank sat heavily in his chair.
    Emerson debated. She could lie, but how did she know Jared hadn’t told his own boss that they were involved? “We’re…we’ve been seeing each other since then.”
    “So he’s your boyfriend?”
    “Not…officially.” What was he? Her lover? Her midnight obsession? She was head over heels for him, but they still hadn’t decided if they had anything serious.
    “You came to me and recommended DenMar above everyone else.”
    “Yes, because I think they’re better.”
    “Metro was damn good. Todd loved them.”
    “You heard him. He liked DenMar too. Which one would you choose?”
    “I would go with Metro.”
    Emerson gaped. She hadn’t expected that. “Why? Aside from the obvious, they’re flashy and sleek, but we’re not selling a mobile phone. We’re selling service. DenMar’s ad tells customers we’re stepping into the national arena because we can get the job done and done right.”
    “I thought their ad was a bit down-homey. We don’t want the image of being from the sticks just because we’re not based in a metropolitan area.”
    “I don’t think it says that at all.”
    “Emmy, I’m concerned you may not be objective.”
    She threw her hands in the air. “That’s exactly why I asked for this meeting to compare the two. I am objective. I know I am, but I didn’t want there to be any question about it. I wasn’t planning on hiding my relationship with Jared. We met, we had a nice time together, and I like him. What happens between TCL and DenMar won’t change that, but I was afraid this would happen. I didn’t want to be seen as the emotional woman who would base a huge corporate decision on favoritism, and I was hoping that if you saw the same things I did in DenMar’s campaign, it wouldn’t be an issue.”
    “I have another hard question for you.”
    “What’s that?”
    “What about Dan Archer? I saw the way he was eyeing you up in the conference room. It was almost insulting. Did you spend time with him as well?”
    “Frank!” Emerson shot up from her chair. This was too much. She’d told him the truth, and he had the nerve to insinuate she might be fooling around with both ad men? “I think I should pretend you didn’t just say that.”
    “He whispered something to you in the