Mixed up in March (Spring River Valley Book 3) (8 page)

Fortunately they ate it up.

When she invited Metro Ads’ team into the conference room, her stomach calmed a bit. It was all over but the applause now. She had no doubt her boss and his boss would like Metro Ads
’
sleek
,
futuristic
-
themed campaign, but when they saw Jared’s more thoughtful presentation, they would have to be blown away.

Dan Archer gave Emerson the once over as he took point at the head of the room. He even winked at her, and she pretended not to notice. In the bright fluorescent lights of the conference room, he looked more plastic and less charming than she remembered. Maybe it was just her fear that after all was said and done, Mr. Todd would like his presentation better, but there was just something about Archer that turned her off.

He seemed oblivious, though, to her lack of interest, and gave his presentation as though he were speaking directly to her.

When Archer’s team concluded, both Frank and Mr. Todd applauded enthusiastically. The VP appeared especially impressed. He liked things glossy and clean, and Emerson began to fear Jared might not be able to win him over with his simpler, more straightforward approach.

She thanked Dan and his people and escorted them out of the room. “I appreciate you coming to see us. We will be in touch with you by the end of the week with our final decision.”

Dan let his fingers brush hers. “Good,” he whispered. “Then maybe we can get to that dinner we were discussing.”

She ignored him, not because she wanted to lead him on but because Jared and his team were just coming up the hallway
toward the conference room
, led by Mr. Todd’s secretary. She offered Archer a polite smile and headed back into the conference room to speak with her bosses before the next team came in.

“We love it,” Frank said. “That was outstanding. I can’t imagine you could have anything better to show us.”

* * * *

Jared couldn’t help but notice the guy from Metro Ads leaning in awfully close to Emerson to whisper something in her ear. She seemed to ignore him, but her gaze followed him as he led his team down the corridor past Ed Reese, Jared and the two junior account managers they’d brought along. Ed stopped to speak to Metro Ads
’
team leader, and the short exchange was only friendly on the surface. Old rivalries ran deep. Apparently Metro’s CEO had been a student of Ed the Third and had stolen a few clients years back, so the gossip went.

Jared nodded to the Metro people and kept his eyes on the guy who had been chatting up Emerson. As he passed, he spoke over the shoulder of the man in front of him, just loud enough for Jared to hear. “Don’t worry, Len. We’ve got this all sewn up. Did you see the brunette? She’s their Corporate Image rep, and she’s hot for me. I’ve been warming her up a little, if you know what I mean.” Jared whirled around, anger flaring, but Ed Reese called him, and the Metro people had already turned a corner in the narrow corridor and were gone. He’d have followed the guy and demanded an explanation, but now wasn’t the time.

He followed Ed into TCL’s richly appointed conference room, and they greeted Frank Eckert and George Todd. Emerson introduced herself and Ed and Jared to her bosses.

“Jared Barton?” Eckert said.

Jared immediately noticed Emerson’s face begin to redden. “Yes, sir.”

“That name sounds familiar. Have we met?”

“No, sir.” He wanted to add, not in person, but that would all but give away the connection.

“Hmm. You sound very familiar.”

Jared only shrugged. How could he say they’d spoken on the phone when Eckert had called his room looking for Emerson?

“Why don’t we get started with the presentation?” Emerson interrupted. “I think you’re going to see why I prefer DenMar’s campaign to Metro’s. I hope you’ll share my vision.”

Ed nodded
,
and Jared began the presentation. Their mock-up commercial played on the overhead screen, and both he and Ed read the voiceovers they’d prepared and talked about the direction for a dynamic ad campaign that would grow as the company went from national to global in the years ahead.

When they finished, both Eckert and Todd sat in silence. Jared’s heart pounded so hard he was certain everyone in the room could hear it. If one more second went by with no one speaking he was sure he would burst.

“Thank you all so much for coming today,” Emerson’s voice broke the silence, then a loud noise followed her words.

Everyone turned to 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. 

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 hallway. He looked very friendly. A lot more so than Barton. How can I be sure you aren’t using some kind of reverse psychology to get me to go for Metro because Archer is your favorite?”

Emerson thought she might choke on her own indignation. She’d worked for Frank for years and always thought him to be kind and intelligent. She couldn’t believe the words coming out of his mouth. “Wow. You must think I’m some kind of Mata Hari, being able to manipulate you so successfully. Are you saying you like Metro’s ad better because of something I did or might have done outside of the office, rather than because it’s a better ad? I had no idea I was so powerful.”

“You know what I mean, Emmy.”

“No, I have no idea what you mean. Look, Frank, I gave this to you straight. I love DenMar’s ad. They’re spot on what we’re looking for. If you disagree, tell Mr. Todd. I respect your opinion—well, your professional opinion, which is why I wanted to hear it. Metro’s Ad is a reasonable option, but it’s not going to give us the image we really want. If you can’t respect my opinion and me enough to consider that, then I don’t belong here.”

“All right, Emmy. I’m sorry. I was out of line. It was wrong of me to insinuate that you were trying to manipulate me.”

“You’re damn right it was.” That comment came out before Emmy could stop it, but she didn’t care. She’d never been so angry in her life, and she’d never before considered quitting her job at TCL, but she was on the verge at this moment.

Frank held up his hands in a gesture of surrender. “You’re right. I’m just…this is too big a decision, and if our department screws up, if Todd ends up unhappy, we’re all dead weight.”

“I know that.”

“Well, consider this. You’re not manipulating anyone. You’re being honest, but what about those two ad men? Metro has a bit of a reputation. They’re good, but they’ll do anything to get what they want. Dan Archer looked like he was playing you, and I don’t know about Barton, but how do you know he isn’t doing the same thing?”

“Because I know.” How dare he try to plant a seed of doubt in her mind about Jared?

“How do you know? You met him when? Friday night? It’s Wednesday. Are you willing to bet your career on his sincerity?”

“Frank, I don’t like where this is going.”

“I don’t either. I’m just saying, consider that you might be the victim of some double teaming. Dan Archer might not be above flirting with you to get you to pick his ad. Are you sure Barton is so pure?”

Emmy whirled around and headed for the door. “I’m done for the day, Frank. I’ve got to think about just what I’m willing to bet my career on.” She flung the door open and walked out. She didn’t stop walking until she reached her car.

* * * *

“I just had a very interesting conversation with Frank Eckert.” The expression on Ed Reese’s face told Jared that “interesting” was not really the word he wanted to use.

Jared leaned back in his chair. The office was nearly empty, and he’d been five minutes away from cleaning off his desk for the evening and heading home. Ed’s tone told him the day was far from over. “Let me guess, there’s bad news and there’s worse news.”

“No news…they haven’t made their decision yet, but he wanted me to tell all my team members that he didn’t condone any kind of emotional manipulation of his employees. I had to ask him what he meant by that, because I know my people don’t do that sort of thing.”

Jared had learned his poker face from Max. He didn’t twitch a muscle as he waited for Ed for to continue.

“He insinuated that you might have something going on with Emerson Bartoli, his Corporate Image manager.”

“And how does he know this?”

“I guess she told him. So, it’s true? You’re fooling around with one of our biggest potential clients?”

“We’ve been out to dinner.” He decided 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.”