Free Mixed up in March (Spring River Valley Book 3) by Clarice Wynter Page A

not to mention anything intimate. It was none of Ed’s business.
    “Did you think wining and dining her would help the account?”
    “No. I thought she was gorgeous and I wanted to ask her out. I know she’s above playing favorites.”
    “But it couldn’t hurt, right? Flatter her, make her laugh…”
    “Ed, I didn’t know who she was when I met her, but when we figured it out we talked about it, and she’s too much of a professional to have anything that goes on between us make a difference one way or the other.”
    Ed crossed his arms over his chest. “Look, I don’t care if you sleep with her to get the account, as long as you get the account. My problem is TCL taking us out of the running because of it.”
    Jared gaped. “They picked Metro?”
    “Not yet.” Ed leaned on Jared’s desk, an aggressive stance that got Jared’s hackles up. He didn’t like the direction the conversation was taking at all. “But if they do, it’ll be your ass on the line. Like I said, I don’t care if you have to sleep with the girl to get TCL’s business, as long as you get their business.”
    “Ed, I resent that you think I would do that. I resent you talking about Emerson that way. She’s doing her job, I’m doing mine. There’s no clause in my contract that says I can’t date anyone I please.”
    “Do whatever you have to do, Jared, but make damn sure whatever you do doesn’t cost us that account. I’d have gone to bat for you if we lost because TCL liked Metro’s ad better, but I won’t fight for your job if we lose because you were screwing around.”
    “I’m not screwing around.”
    “Well, Eckert made noises as though maybe Emerson is. He said he was also going to speak to Metro about Dan Archer. Apparently she’s got something going on with him too.”
    “That’s ridiculous.” Jared’s jaw clenched. He’d seen the intimate whisper between Emerson and Archer, but it hadn’t meant anything. She certainly wasn’t playing him and Archer against each other. He knew that.
    “It wouldn’t be the first time this sort of thing has happened—it’s a ruthless business. Look, Eckert is trying to protect his people. I’ve got to protect mine. Whatever you do, stay away from this woman until the project is awarded. Play it however you have to play it, but remember, your job is on the line here, and if we lose the campaign because she’s mad at you, or she’s screwing around with Archer, or TCL thinks someone’s playing some kind of game here, you’re not the only one who goes down.”
    Jared rose. Every muscle in his body was wound tighter than a spring. Part of him wanted to deck his boss, but he held back. If Ed said one more word about Emerson, though, Jared might not be able to control himself. “I did my job, Ed. I’m going to keep doing it. You should know me well enough to know I’m above all this.”
    “I want to believe that, Jared, but you said yourself, you’re seeing this girl. The two of you shouldn’t be fraternizing right now.”
    “Maybe you’re right.” Jared grabbed his coat and headed for the door.
    “I know I’m right. You know what you have to do.”
    “Yes, and I’m going to go do it.”

Chapter Ten
     
     
    Emmy was about to dial Jared’s cell phone for the fifth time when his car pulled up in her driveway. She tossed her phone on the sofa and waited for him at the open door.
    His grim expression made her heart sink. “Sorry I didn’t pick up the phone. I was on my way over here.”
    “Don’t tell me,” she said as she stepped aside to let him in. “They picked Metro.”
    “Not yet.” He came in and sat on the edge of her couch but didn’t move to take off his coat. “Everybody is talking…your boss called my boss and reamed him out about me supposedly trying to manipulate you. He also insinuated Dan Archer was doing the same thing.”
    Emmy cursed. “Archer is— He tried to get me to go out with him, but I refused. He made eyes at me during Metro’s