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

whole presentation.”
    “And apparently he’s talking about you too. He wants everyone to think you’re going to play favorites.”
    “Well, if I was, it wouldn’t do him any good. You’re my favorite.” She offered a half smile, but Jared wouldn’t meet her gaze. She sat down next to him. “What else is wrong?”
    “Ed Reese just told me to stay away from you until the decision is made. I could lose my job if TCL picks Metro because everyone will assume it’s because I was screwing around to get the account. Not to mention, Ed also implied maybe you were the one playing both ends…flirting with Dan to get a better deal from Metro, flirting with me for the same reason.”
    “How come you look like you aren’t a hundred percent sure that’s ridiculous?”
    Jared kept his gaze on his clasped hands.
    “You are a hundred percent sure that’s nonsense, right? Do you think I was out having sex with Dan Archer in between breakfast and dinner with you when we were in New York?”
    “No, of course not.”
    “Then why do you look like that?” She put her hand on his arm. “Look at me, Jared.”
    He finally did. His eyes had darkened to brown in the dim light, and there wasn’t even the hint of his natural smile on his lips. “This is my fault. I shouldn’t have invited you to stay in my room. I did that because…I thought you were hot and I wanted to be around you.”
    “I don’t hold that against you.” She tried to inject some levity into the conversation, but her attempt fell flat.
    Jared rose and paced the living room. “No, but my boss does. This is the biggest campaign of my career, the first one I took the lead on, and if I lose the account…it’s going to be the last one. No one will ever believe that DenMar didn’t get the job because Metro was better, they’ll just assume it was because I made advances to TCL’s ad manager.”
    Emmy sighed. Wasn’t the same true for her? No matter which campaign TCL ultimately went with, there would be questions as to why. If she and Jared had to work closely together on the campaign, it would become clear fairly quickly that they were attracted to each other. She had no doubt Dan Archer wouldn’t look twice at her no matter what happened, but the insinuation would still be there. “So what are you saying? We don’t see each other?”
    “If DenMar gets the account—”
    “Then you keep your job and everything is okay, but if they don’t, then what?”
    “I’m looking for another job.”
    “No time for a girlfriend then, I suppose.”
    “You’re not my girlfriend…you’re—”
    That arrow stung. Of course he was right. They weren’t dating. So far all they’d done was have a couple of meals together and a couple of energetic sessions in bed. That really didn’t make a relationship. Emmy stood and headed for the door. “You’re right. I’m not your girlfriend. The way it looks right now, I’m your problem. So maybe you should go . S tay away from me until this all settles. I don’t want you to lose your job, Jared. You’re good at what you do. Everything you do.”
    He stood and finally met her gaze. “What’s that supposed to mean? Do you think I did manipulate you?”
    “No. You wouldn’t be here if you had. But I think you’re afraid of what everyone will say about us, and maybe you’re right to be. I know I won’t get any professional respect if it gets around that I give corporate favors in exchange for sex. And we all know that’s what everyone will say about me when this trickles down to the water cooler.”
    “You think I’m going to talk about it?”
    “You won’t have to. Dan Archer will, and it’ll get back to DenMar. You may not lose your job, but I think no matter how the decision goes, I might lose mine. So it’s probably better if we stay the hell away from each other.”
    “Emmy…”
    She opened the door. “Bye, Jared. Good luck with campaign. Your presentation really was the best.”
    He headed for the