Free An Enchanted Spring: Mists of Fate - Book Two by Nancy Scanlon Page A

this guy. He could be a crazy psycho. After all, Ben showed no outward signs for years!
    Although, she reflected, Ben refused to go out with her friends. He never stopped her from going with them, but after a while she found that she preferred his company, so she stopped going out.
    He might not have stopped you, but he would act hurt that you chose your friends over him, and you’d feel guilty every time. And you “preferred” not to deal with his attitude more than you ever “preferred” his company.
    She hated that she allowed her friendships to disappear. She wasn’t even sure she could find any of the women anymore; most had married or moved away. She’d been lonely in these past few months, but with the demands of her career, she hadn’t found the time to look anyone up.
    So what if Ben maybe displayed some odd behavior? You don’t need anyone’s help! You’re not a charity case!
    But Aidan had made it very clear that this job wasn’t charity—he claimed he needed her services, and even before her worst day of all time began, he’d made it obvious that he only wanted her representing him.
    That has to count for something, right?
    Emma wasn’t sure if she was talking herself into or out of his help.
    “I apologize about that,” Aidan said as he strode back into the room. “Business never stops.”
    She gave a weak smile. “What’s your Plan B?”
    His brows knit. “Sorry?”
    “Yesterday, you said you had a Plan B. What is it?”
    “Go alone,” he said simply.
    She blinked. “That’s your big Plan B?”
    “I never claimed it to be something outrageous.”
    Emma fought a smile. “So you didn’t.”
    “What’s your Plan A?” he asked. Then, his eyes twinkling, added, “Assuming, as I’m wont to do, that I’m Plan B?”
    Without meaning to, she laughed. She clapped her hands over her mouth to stem it, but it was no use. The entire day had been something out of a bad dream, and she realized with a start that she needed something to focus on.
    And the gorgeous man in front of her, presenting her a kind of redemption, was definitely something on which she could focus.
    She chewed her lip, considering. She reminded herself that Aidan was not Ben. He hadn’t any reason to offer her a job other than that he needed her services. And, Aidan was offering her a way to earn her way out of the situation she was in, which she appreciated. She hated to be a charity case, and he seemed to understand that.
    And, of course, what came with that offer was hard to pass up: money, a safe place to stay, and medieval artifacts.
    A reluctant smile tugged at her lips. “You assume wrong, Aidan. You’re actually my Plan A. I’m willing to take the chance.”
    • • •
    “That’s good news,” Colin said grimly, his eyes focused on the computer screen in front of him rather than Aidan’s face on his phone.
    “Aye, don’t jump around with excitement,” Aidan agreed dryly.
    “Sorry.” Colin turned his attention toward the video chat. “Things here are blowing up. I’ve got a new client who’s an absolute arse. We’ve sent him on four dates, and each of the women have come back with a ‘hell no’ response when asked if they’d be interested in a second one.”
    “Ouch.”
    “Yeah, the guy’s a real Prince Charming. He’s taken up entirely too much of my thought processes for today. It really is good news that Perkins is open to a new opportunity, though.”
    Aidan nodded. He wondered if Colin had done any searches on Emma as of late. Her name was attached to the day’s biggest scandal—and not in a good way. She was painted as a scorned woman, out for revenge on her ex and whomever he’d cheated on her with—some Hollywood actress. Aidan didn’t read much past the headlines, and it seemed as though Colin was too busy to notice anything amiss with his potential new hire.
    “I hope she’s good with public speaking,” Colin was saying as Aidan tuned back into their conversation. “If