Free Do Opposites Attract? by Kathryn Freeman Page A

cry from her usual drinking establishments: walls screamed out for a coat of fresh paint and worn chairs and rickety bar stools clustered around scratched wooden tables. She settled her gaze back on Mitch. ‘How much longer are you going to keep up the rich girl jibes?’
    He visibly flinched. ‘Fair point,’ he conceded quietly. ‘I’ll try and rein them in from now on.’
    ‘Good. In that case why don’t we find somewhere to sit? I have a thought I want to throw by you.’
    They found a table big enough for them all to sit at, but Brianna sat close to Mitch because she wanted to pick his brains. Watching the muscles of his arm bunch as he pulled out his chair, she had to admit his brains weren’t the only part of his body she wanted to grapple with, but they’d have to be enough. At least for now.
    ‘Okay, shoot.’
    Mitch took a deep gulp of his beer and focused his steady brown eyes on her. As usual, they were cool and guarded. For a brief moment she wondered if they ever burned with desire, or warmed with joy. ‘Is it my imagination, or do Medic SOS receive more than their fair share of the difficult cases?’
    Briefly he smiled and reached again for his beer. ‘It does seem to be that way these days. It wasn’t when we first started but now, when we’re supporting other medical agencies, they tend to ask us to handle the acute traumas.’ He shrugged. ‘I’m not complaining. It keeps life interesting.’
    ‘Why do you think that is?’
    ‘I guess because we’re good at it.’
    ‘Same question. Why?’
    Mitch sighed. ‘I thought I was meant to be coming out tonight to play? This sounds like work to me.’
    ‘Humour me, just for a little while. Then you can play with me all you like.’ She grinned, fully aware of the suggestive nature of her comment. She was hoping for a teasing reply, something to suggest her attraction wasn’t all one sided.
    He gave her a sharp look through lidded eyes. ‘Most of my medical experience is from serving in the army,’ he stated matter-of-factly, totally ignoring her attempt to flirt with him. ‘I’m used to operating under harsh conditions. When I came out of the army and went back into civilian medicine, I specialised in A & E, doing further acute trauma training. That was where I met Tessa. When the opportunity to work at Medic SOS came along, we both volunteered. I guess over the years we’ve shared that experience within our group and built up a solid skills base. Gradually the larger agencies have started to see what we’re capable of.’
    Brianna rested back against her chair and gave voice to the idea that had been niggling at her. ‘I think Medic SOS should make more of that niche. From a marketing point of view, that is.’
    Mitch raised an eyebrow, his interest snared. ‘What do you mean?’
    ‘Look, I don’t know anything about medicine, as you’ve already gathered, but I know a lot about money and a fair bit about marketing. If Medic SOS was branded as specialists in acute trauma, I believe it would secure a lot more funding than it does currently. People would be able to see how it offered something different from other medical agencies. I know it sounds harsh, but it would give the charity an edge. There are so many organisations competing for people’s money. It’s important to stand out from the rest.’
    Mitch considered Brianna’s words. He had no concept of business, but it didn’t take a genius to see the merit in what she was saying. Besides, it was only mirroring what they were already doing in the field. Why shouldn’t they make more of that specialism when they promoted the charity to sponsors? Especially if it brought in more funding. ‘Sounds like you’re talking yourself into a job.’
    She blinked and for a split second she looked speechless. Then her face lit up in a delighted smile. ‘Hey, maybe I am.’ Shaking her head, she reached for her drink. ‘I could do this, you know, I could really do it.’
    He’d meant