Read Mixed up in March (Spring River Valley Book 3) for Free Online

fairly quickly who she was.  Maybe he thought hospitality would get him a better standing in the competition for TCL’s business.
    That thought bowed her spirits a bit. Was that really how the ad men operated? Did they think flattery would get them a contract just because she was a woman?
     
    * * * *
     
    Jared returned to the hotel room exhausted and hoping Emerson would be there. He was disappointed to find the place empty. Housekeeping had folded up the cot and pushed it into the corner of the room, so it wasn’t as crowded as this morning, but he ’d sort of liked it that way. He looked forward to watching his pretty roommate crawl across his bed to get to hers.
    He loosened his tie and hung up his jacket, stowed his laptop case and his wallet, and filed all of the business cards and brochures he’d collected from the potential clients and vendors he’d met with throughout the day. Later he’d sort everything and make up a report recommending certain companies DenMar could use for producing commercials and print media, and he’d set up call files for some of the companies that were looking for advertising guidance. He couldn’t concentrate on work now, though. All he could think about was Emerson.
    He considered taking another shower, but the phone interrupted his plans . He scooped up the receiver. “Hello?”
    “I’m sorry, I’m looking for Emerson Bartoli. The front desk must have given me the wrong room number.”
    “No, sir. This … is her r oom. She’s not here right now.” Jared’s thoughts spun. He hoped he wasn’t talking to her father or anyone else who might be appalled to find a man in her room. “Can I take a message?”
    “Ah…well, this is Frank Eckert, I’m Ms. Bartoli’s manager.”
    Jared winced.
    “Please have her call the office when she returns. I’ve tried her cell phone, but I suppose at the Convention Center she may not get good reception.”
    “I will have her call you.”
    “Thank you…and your name is?”
    Jared thought about lying, but he decided that might only cause more problems later. “Jared Barton, I’m— Oh, here she is.”
    Emerson had just let herself into the room. Her eyes widened when Jared held the phone out to her. “It’s your boss,” he mouthed.
    Her jaw dropped, and she grabbed the phone. “Frank? Hi. What’s up?” She covered her face with her hand as she listened to her boss.
    Jared sank into the chair, feeling like scum. He hoped she wouldn’t get into some kind of trouble for sharing a room.
    “Yes, DenMar, Metro Ads, and DeRossi. You should know, The Lyon Agency didn’t show up, so we can take them out of the running.”
    Jared held his breath. Would her boss ask what he was doing in “her” room?
    “Yes, I will. Thanks, Frank. I’ll see you Monday.” She hun g up and collapsed on the bed. “How did that happen?”
    Jared shrugged. “The phone rang, I picked it up. He asked who I was. You’re not in trouble, are you?”
    “I don’t think so. He just wanted an update. This is getting complicated.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “I’m supposed to recommend the best ad campaign, and right now, that’s yours.”
    Jared was thrilled. After the months of work he’d put into building TCL ’ s new corporate image, his presentation had to be the best. He mirrored her expression, though. “And that’s bad.”
    “How do I know I like the campaign best and not you?”
    He shrugged. “Take me out of the equation and make a list of pros and cons.”
    “I did that, and DenMar comes out ahead, but still…”
    He rose and offered her his hand. “Then don’t think about it right now. It’s been a long day. Let’s go get something to eat and relax. No business talk.”
    She looked at him oddly for a moment, then took his hands and rose from the bed. They stood close, face-to-face for a second, and Jared wanted nothing more in the world than to kiss her. He leaned in just slightly, but she ducked away.
    “Dibs on the bathroom.