But it wasn’t Victoria. The phone lit up with a short four-word text from Mark: They’re at it again. A link followed.
Austin opened the link, his stress compounding. A blog post immediately loaded on the website of the local chapter of Their Only Voice. He carefully read the article, the knot in his stomach growing tighter with every word. The chapter president, Ruth, had written this one. She claimed an insider had given her an exclusive glimpse into the testing facility at Wellsprings Pharmaceutical and had spoken of the deplorable conditions the animals were kept in. Austin read the article again, keeping an eye out for any specifics that might hint at truth, but everything was spoken of in vague terms, and there were no photos included.
Austin dialed Mark.
He answered immediately. “Can you believe it? Do these people not have a life? Surely they have something better to do with their time than try and wreck us.”
Did Michelle spend her evenings helping Ruth craft these articles, or was she too busy grading papers? “They’re making some pretty serious claims,” Austin said.
“Of course they are. That’s what these groups do. Twenty bucks says the article is picked up by the local paper. Geez.”
“I’ve got to ask, Mark—is there any truth to their claims?”
Mark let out a snort. “Absolutely not. Trust me, those animals are in the freakin’ Ritz Carlton of testing facilities. There wasn’t one concrete claim made in that post.”
“Yeah, I know. But I had to ask. The local paper might pick the blog post up, but I doubt it’ll hurt us much. Worst case scenario, it starts getting shared around social media and comments poke holes in their claims. I spoke with Their Only Voice earlier today and they’ve agreed to let me speak to them at their weekly meeting. Maybe a face-to-face will help.”
“I hope so,” Mark said. “Thanks, Austin.”
They said their goodbyes, and Austin hung up the phone. Meeting with the group was risky, but he thought it was the best course of action right now. And maybe, if luck was on his side, Michelle would be there.
Maybe no one from Their Only Voice had seen the photo. Michelle opened the glass door and nodded to the librarian behind the tinsel-lined circulation desk. Or maybe they’d seen the photo, but not guessed it was her.
Yeah, and maybe the group had ordered a giant platter of bacon as the refreshment for the meeting, too. Ruth knew when someone so much as tweeted about Wellsprings Pharmaceutical. No way she’d miss an entire article.
Hudson was never going to believe this. Michelle had been dying to text him, but hadn’t had time.
She pulled open the door to the meeting room. Ruth, the president, was already at the front, writing the meeting’s agenda on the whiteboard. She batted away a piece of garland that hung from the top, letting out an annoyed grunt.
Great. Seemed like Ruth was even crankier than normal.
“Good afternoon, Michelle,” Ruth said, her voice frostier than the decoratively painted library windows. She gave a close-lipped smile that had Michelle clutching her purse strap tighter. Why was Autumn never on time? Michelle was only five minutes early, but most of the activists in the group didn’t pay attention to things like schedules.
“Take a seat,” Ruth said. “The others should be here shortly.”
Maybe Ruth had a bad day at the animal shelter she ran. She wasn’t exactly a cheery individual, which probably went a long way in explaining why the organization’s relationship with Wellsprings Pharmaceutical had deteriorated so rapidly over the last year. The previous marketing director certainly hadn’t helped matters with his surly personality and lack of a verbal filter.
Michelle chose a chair near the middle of the room, facing the whiteboard. She set her purse on the floor and pulled out her phone, desperate to look busy. Might as well fill Hudson in on the newest developments with Austin. You’re never going to guess who my Mystery Guy is.
The response was almost immediate. Who???
Austin O’Neal, the new marketing director of Wellsprings Pharmaceutical.
R u serious? Hudson demanded.
Yes. And some reporter got a picture of us kissing. At Their Only Voice now. Fingers crossed no one recognized me.
Call me later, Hudson texted back. Good luck.
The door opened, startling Michelle. She let out a sigh of relief as Doug entered, a beanie pulled low over his dreads. Autumn was close behind, looking beautiful in a lace skirt and ballet flats.
“Hey,” Autumn said, leaning down and giving Michelle a hug. “How was the party?”
“Fine,” Michelle said. Was it her imagination, or had Ruth’s posture stiffened at the question?
“We missed you at drinks,” Doug said. “We’re planning a killer wilderness retreat this summer. You should totally come.”
“Oh, you have to,” Autumn said. “Doug knows this guy who can help us build our own canoes out of reclaimed wood.”
“Sounds fun,” Michelle said.
Ruth capped the marker and took a seat, facing the rest of the room. Michelle scanned the agenda on the whiteboard—anything to avoid Ruth’s death glare. Looked like Ruth wanted them to pass out fliers advertising the animal shelter again. Christmas was usually a great time to place abandoned animals with loving families. A few shifts still needed to be filled for manning the table sponsoring the animal testing bill. And the marketing director of Wellsprings Pharmaceutical wanted to talk to them.
Today.
Michelle placed a hand on her chest, splaying her fingers wide. The marketing director of Wellsprings Pharmaceutical. Austin would be here any minute.
“Are you okay?” Autumn asked, playing with the rainbow-colored braid hanging over one shoulder.
“Yeah,” Michelle said. Would Austin let it slip that they’d met before?
Eight more members of Their Only Voice trickled into the meeting room. Ruth stood and called the room to order.
“Thank you everyone for coming tonight,” Ruth said. “The marketing director of Wellsprings Pharmaceutical, Austin O’Neal, will be here in just a few minutes to speak to us.”
“Boo!” Doug threw a pen at the whiteboard. The hairs on the back of Michelle’s neck stood on end.
“Your feelings on the subject are noted,” Ruth said. “But this is the first time Wellsprings has reached out to us, and I felt allowing Mr. O’Neal to speak tonight could only further our cause. That’s not what I wish to discuss right now, however.” Ruth pulled a newspaper out of her backpack and snapped it open. “Michelle, care to explain?”
Michelle closed her eyes, humiliation washing over her.
“Wow,” Autumn said. “Is that you? I can’t believe you didn’t tell me. Who’s the hunk?”
“That would be none other than Austin O’Neal,” Ruth said. “This is you, Michelle, isn’t it? I recognize the dress.”
A low murmur filled the room, and Michelle sank lower in her chair. “I didn’t know it was him at the time.”
“You kissed the enemy?” Autumn said, shock and disbelief making her voice raise an octave.
“Not cool, Michelle,” Doug said, and someone else murmured their agreement.
“It wasn’t like that,” Michelle said. “I was a little tipsy and not thinking clearly. I had no idea that Austin had a connection to Wellsprings at the time. That kiss is the one and only between us.”
“I can’t believe this,” Autumn said. She folded her arms, eyes clouded with hurt.
“I didn’t know,” Michelle said. “I swear, Autumn. I had no idea.”
“So you haven’t seen him since?” Ruth asked.
“Well …” Michelle said. Angry faces glared at her from all sides of the room.
“You have.” Autumn pointed an accusing finger. “Don’t lie to us.”
“I’m his daughter’s teacher,” Michelle said. “She was the new student. It’s not like I can avoid the man. But I can assure you that my professional relationship with Mr. O’Neal in no way changes my dedication to Their Only Vo
ice. I am as committed to our goals as ever.”
“Including taking down Wellsprings Pharmaceutical and calling for the end of animal testing?” Ruth asked.
“Including that,” Michelle agreed. “Promise.”
The door creaked open and Austin peeked in, effectively bringing the conversation to a halt. He walked to the front of the room and extended a hand toward Ruth. “Hi. You must be Ruth. It’s so nice to finally meet you.”
“I’ll reserve my own opinion on the matter until after we hear what you have to say.” Ruth gave his hand a brusque shake. “Please, take a seat.”
“Thank you.” Austin sank into the chair next to Michelle, giving her a sly grin. “Miss Collins.”
“Mr. O’Neal,” she said.
Autumn leaned over and whispered in Doug’s ear. Michelle heard a tsk from the back of the room and sank lower in her chair, wishing she could disappear. Four years of dedication and loyalty to Their Only Voice, and this was the thanks she got?
“Don’t be mad,” Michelle whispered at Autumn.
“I’m trying not to be,” Autumn said. “But Austin O’Neal? Really?”
“I give you the floor,” Ruth said, motioning to Austin.
“Thank you.” He adjusted his tie, and that small sign of nerves had Michelle fighting a smile. Until she caught Ruth’s glare.
“I’m excited to be here today and meet with all of you fine people,” Austin continued. “I know tension has been high between Their Only Voice and Wellsprings Pharmaceutical the past year, but I can assure you that we have every intention of working hard to improve our relationship and work together to help the community.”
“I guess animals aren’t part of our community, then?” Doug said.
“I can assure you that Wellsprings Pharmaceutical has the deepest respect for all life, including animal.”
“You mean like when your former marketing director almost ran over a dog—on purpose?” Autumn demanded.
“I unfortunately can’t comment on that incident,” Austin said.
The room erupted in a roar, and Michelle winced. He couldn’t have picked a worse thing to say. Wellsprings Pharmaceutical had refused to comment on many incidents over the past year.
“Please.” Austin held up a hand. “I know you feel like you haven’t been heard in the past. But I intend to change all that.”
“And how exactly are you planning on doing that?” Ruth said. “We value actions, not words—we’ve been burned too many times in the past. How do you explain your company’s backing of the current bill being voted on in the House, which gives companies like yours a tax break for continuing animal testing?”
“The fact of the matter is animal testing saves lives.”
The room exploded again, and anger stirred in Michelle’s chest. How could anyone with even half a heart say something like that?
“Try telling that to the animals,” she said. “My dog is blind from one of your tests.”
“You didn’t allow me to finish,” Austin said, and Doug let out a growl. “Animal testing saves lives—that’s a scientific fact. However, what that bill does is improve the conditions of animals living in labs across the entire state, and that’s something I think we can all agree is in the best interest of everyone.”
Their Only Voice’s continued support of the opposing bill said otherwise.
“There are alternative means of testing,” Ruth said. “We’ve discussed those options with your company’s vice-president, but he’s unwilling to listen to reason.”
“Creating a lot of drama in the press isn’t serving either of our end goals,” Austin said.
“Oh, I disagree,” Michelle said. “The more aware the public is, the less they will support crooked companies like yours. Knowledge is power, and we’re not about to let you keep the truth from the community.”
“We want to work together—” Austin began. But Michelle tuned him out. She was done listening.
“He’s not looking so great now, is he?” Autumn whispered.
Michelle couldn’t believe she’d ever kissed him. So what if he was a loving father? He represented everything she detested.
She would fight against Austin, if that’s what it took to protect animals like Bella. And she would win.
The meeting with Their Only Voice couldn’t have gone worse. Clearly, the group was beyond reason. Austin loosened his tie as he drove, glaring at the trio of cheerful inflatable snowmen.
He definitely felt a sympathy for the former marketing director that he hadn’t before. Ruth was an expert at twisting his meaning and inciting wrath. The media looked like cuddly kittens compared to the pit bull she’d proved to be.
And Michelle had sat there, sending painfully sharp glares his way the entire meeting. The amazing chemistry he’d felt underneath the mistletoe might as well be a dream. The pleasant buzz of that moment was most definitely gone.
Well, Michelle could glare all she wanted. For better or worse, he was a Wellsprings Pharmaceutical employee. Did he one hundred percent agree with everything the company stood for? No. But he had a family to support, and he refused to feel guilty for that.
Things will look better tomorrow, he promised himself as he drifted off to sleep that night.
But when he arrived at the office the next morning, Ruth was standing on the sidewalk with five other people, most of whom he recognized from last night. “Animal lives matter!” she chanted into a bullhorn while they waved picket signs.
Fantastic. At least Michelle wasn’t among the protesters.
The chant grated on his nerves for the next two days. When the phone rang two hours after he arrived at the office on Friday, he picked it up with a growl. “Austin speaking.”
“Mr. O’Neal?” The voice was soft and feminine, but not timid—Michelle was anything but that. Reserved, maybe. But not shy.
“Hi,” he said, instantly changing the tone of his voice. No point in making a difficult situation even worse. “What can I do for you today?”
“I’m calling to see if we can arrange a time for parent-teacher conferences. You never sent the slip confirming a time back to school with Sydney.”
Austin made a face. Now Michelle not only thought him evil but irresponsible. “I’m so sorry. I completely forgot. The housekeeper makes a paperwork pile for me, but I haven’t gotten to it in a few days.”
“Would this evening work for you?” Michelle asked.
“Today?” Sydney had only been in school a week. How much could there be to talk about?
“Yes. I have an opening at seven o’clock tonight. That should give you sufficient time to get off work and to the school without needing to leave early.”
“I’ll be there.”
“See you then.” The phone clicked.
Austin set the phone back on his desk. It was so hard to read tone through a phone line. At least Sydney seemed to love Miss Collins. She came home every day chattering about the hands-on lessons and how nice her teacher was. After the meeting with Their Only Voice, Austin had worried Michelle would take her dislike of Wellsprings Pharmaceutical—and by extension, him—out on an innocent seven-year-old. That hadn’t happened, and his respect for her had grudgingly grown.
He hated himself for wishing Michelle liked him as much as she liked Sydney. Why couldn’t he get that kiss out of his head? Michelle made him feel more alive than he had in years. She challenged him, was surprisingly funny, and treated her students with a love and compassion that was rare.
“Mr. O’Neal, are you ready for the meeting?” his secretary asked, peeking her head into his office.
Austin forced Michelle out of his head and unplugged his laptop. “Yes, I’m headed there now.”
The first half of the meeting was painfully dull. Austin updated the group on the situation with Their Only Voice before the discussion turned to other topics. He zoned out. How would Michelle behave at their meeting tonight? She was a puzzle—one he was dying to figure out.
“If we
don’t spend this money on a tax-deductible charitable contribution before the end of the year, our accountants say we’ll end up paying it to the government,” Mark said. He leaned back in his chair, one leg crossed and a flip-flop dangling from his foot.
Austin straightened, focusing on the conversation. A budget surplus? This might be just the answer to their PR problem.
“Let’s put our heads together and come up with something awesome we can spend this money on,” Mark said. “And let’s make it something that’ll remind the community we aren’t evil. Uncle Sam isn’t getting so much as a dime we don’t have to give them.”
Too bad spending the money on the test animals wouldn’t qualify as a charitable contribution. Still, there had to be a way to make this work in their favor …
“I have an idea,” Austin said, his mind whirling with the possibility.
“Let’s hear it,” Mark said.
“All second graders at the elementary school my two youngest attend usually take a field trip to the San Diego zoo in February. Due to budget cuts, they’ve canceled the trip. The kids are incredibly disappointed. My daughter’s talked about it all week.”
“A zoo trip?” Mark rubbed his chin. “That’s kind of cool.”
“Spending the money on something like that would show the community we’re a company who cares about animals and conservation efforts.”
“Yeah,” Mark said. “But donating the money to the zoo would do the same thing with a lot less effort. The logistics of the field trip could be time-consuming.”
“I’m sure the school would make all of the arrangements if we foot the bill,” Austin said.
“I’m all about simplicity right now,” Mark said. “Donating to the zoo still seems like the easier route.”
“My daughter’s teacher is a member of Their Only Voice,” Austin threw out. If he could make this happen, no way Michelle would still be able to hate him. He wanted—no, needed—her not to hate him, for reasons he wasn’t yet ready to examine.
Mark paused. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. She was there when I met with the group this week. She’s been an active member for the past few years, and she’s very upset with Wellsprings Pharmaceutical right now.” And with Austin.
Mistletoe Match (No Match for Love) Page 4
