Page 5 of An Enchanted Spring

“Perhaps he knows your work,” Mr. Price concluded, interrupting her thoughts.

Emma doubted it, but didn’t say it aloud. Publicly, her name wasn’t attached to anyone—clients rarely told each other about a great publicity manager, for fear the attention would be taken from them and placed onto the newer, bigger client. Only other publicists knew the good publicists. And management is what determined which publicists got which clients.

Plus, according to Mr. Price, this client was from Ireland. Price Publicity, LLC’s entire client base was American.

Mr. Price heaved a great sigh, as though he had finally thought his last thought on the subject, but ruined the effect when he added, “MacWilliam wants you. He stated very clearly that his situation is a private one, and that he wouldn’t discuss it with anyone but you. So.” He cleared his throat meaningfully. “You’ll accept him as your new client, but I want daily updates as to what he wants, how you’re going to provide it to him, and how we can use this to promote the company in the public eye.” He dismissed them both with a wave of his hand, and Emma quickly followed Josh out of the intimidating office.

In the kitchen area, as she stirred the sugar into her cup of coffee, Emma leveled a stare at Josh. “So you’re telling me that this guy—MacWilliam—calls up the biggest publicity name in New York Cityon his home phoneand simply demands that he wantsmeas his PR manager?” She tilted her head skeptically.

Josh casually leaned against the counter, sipping his own cup. “You heard Price. MacWilliam is a wealthy, reclusive man.” He picked up the folder and pulled out the dossier. “He wants what he wants, when he wants it—not unlike the majority of our clients. Hmm. No online presence, no paper trails, no reputation smears, not even an angry ex.” He looked at her soberly. “After what happened with Kincaid, this should be a walk in the park. Maybe it’s just what you need to get your mojo back.”

Emma blinked back the sudden prick of tears, humiliation swamping her; Josh was the only one who knew of her situation, as she’d put the paperwork in months ago to be removed from the Kincaid account. “I’m sorry. My personal life shouldn’t affect my professional one.”

Josh smiled sympathetically. “I know you’re suffering. A broken heart is—”

Emma threw her hand up. “Whoa. Let’s get one thing straight. I am not brokenhearted over losing that cheating, lying jackass. Absolutely not. I’m upset that I didn’t see it coming. But I amnotupset that I am free from a lovelesswasteof a relationship.”

Josh blinked. “Okay then.”

“Now. Back to MacWilliam. You agree that this doesn’t add up, right?”

“There are plenty of eccentric folks out there,” Josh replied, clearly relieved that her outburst was over. “And he specifically requested that you be the one to assist him. And, as you know, the wealthiest clients get what they want. We deliver it.”

“So you want me to meet with him tonight, take him to dinner, see what this is all about?”

Josh shook his head. “No. Well, maybe. First, you’ll meet with him here, this afternoon. I want him to be well aware that we have a face to his name. Safety first.”

Josh was a good guy, and he was always ensuring histeam’s security. No one could have meetings outside the office without documenting them first—and in such a large city, Emma was grateful for it.

Josh continued to pore over the paper in front of him. “Oh. Here’s something. Looks like he plans to check out the auction that we’re handling.”

Christie’s was having a special auction that the publicity firm had been hired to promote. A collection of pristine, rare, and expensive medieval artifacts had been placed for auction by an anonymous source, and it promised to be one of the most glamorous events of the year in New York City. Tickets just for the chance to view the artifacts were priced in the thousands. Emma was dying to see pictures, but all items and descriptions were under lock and key. No one was allowed a sneak peek until twenty-four hours prior to the event. And even then, you had to present a cashier’s check in excess of ten thousand dollars at the auction house for access to the descriptions.

She wouldn’t be seeing those anytime soon.

“Emma!”

“Sorry,” she replied automatically, once again caught lost in her thoughts.

Josh sighed. “You need to shake this funk. Maybe MacWilliam is the client to do that.”

“Maybe,” Emma capitulated with a small smile, taking the folder labeledAidan MacWilliamfrom his outstretched hand. “I don’t have any Irish clients.”

“You do now.”

Emma straightenedher skirt and smoothed her hair. Mr. MacWilliam was waiting for her in Mr. Price’s office.

“Dibs,” Heinous Heidi murmured as Emma passed by her cube.

Emma paused despite her better judgment. “Excuse me?”

Heidi smirked. “After Mr. MacWilliam meets you and realizes his mistake, I call dibs on his account. Price already signed off.”

Two college interns popped their heads up from their cubes.

“Holy hell, Emma. Did you see him? I know we get lookers in here all the time…butwhoa.”

“He is so unbelievably hot!” the other chimed in breathlessly.

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