Page 16 of Do Opposites Attract?

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 his comment as a joke. After all, why would a woman like her need a job? But she looked so impossibly chuffed he started to wonder if she was seriously considering it. ‘I have no doubt you could do it. You’re pushy and stubborn as hell. Just the right attributes for squeezing money out of big business.’

He’d been half afraid he’d gone too far, but she burst out laughing.

‘That was rude,’ she replied, playfully digging him in the ribs.

He felt a jolt of pleasure at her touch and had to focus on the wall ahead to steady himself. ‘So, when do you start?’

Again, he meant to provoke, but she didn’t hesitate. ‘As soon as I get back to London and persuade Margaret I’d be excellent in the role.’

‘I don’t expect you’ll find that too difficult,’ he replied wryly.

‘You mean because I’m the patron’s daughter?’

The amusement in her face faded and the cool haughty look came back in force. He definitely preferred the former. ‘No, I didn’t mean that,’ he countered with a touch of frustration. ‘I meant I’m sure you can be very persuasive when you want to be. You got me out tonight, didn’t you?’

She slipped him a sly look. ‘Umm, yes I did, didn’t I? So tell me, Dr Mitch McBride, what do you usually do on a night off?’

He shifted uneasily on his chair at the change in topic. This was exactly why he didn’t usually socialise. He was crap at talking about himself. Didn’t like it, didn’t want to do it. ‘On camp? Or at home?’ he asked, throwing the question back as if it were a ticking bomb.

Her lips twitched. ‘Let’s start with on camp.’

‘I catch up on my paperwork, go for a run, read a book.’ So what if he sounded boring? He wasn’t interested in appearing attractive to her. What else was there to do on a ruddy refugee camp, anyway?

‘And when you’re home?’

He regarded her suspiciously. Couldn’t she see he didn’t like this sort of small talk? Her eyes stared back with their all too innocent expression. Of course she knew. It was exactly why she was subjecting him to this torture. ‘At home I . . .’ What did he do when he was home? Other than the same lame things he’d already stated. He stood up. ‘Who’s for another drink?’ Buying a round had to be better than being interrogated by Brianna.

Brianna watched Mitch stride up to the bar, his movements fluid and confident. Looking at him, he could have been a cowboy, or a stuntman. Any job based outdoors involving an element of risk. He didn’t look anything like a doctor, certainly none she’d ever met. Somehow she couldn’t picture him in a sterile hospital ward, or a GP surgery. She guessed it was why the job he did now suited him so well. But if that part of him was obvious, a lot wasn’t. He kept so much hidden and she had a feeling it would take far more time than she had left to uncover it.

Mitch brought the drinks to the table and turned to discuss football with Toby, cleverly evading any further questioning from her.

‘Have the last few days given you an insight into what we do then, Brianna?’ Jane asked, clearly equally as bored with the discussion on the merits of the new Manchester United striker.

‘It’s been incredible,’ Brianna said with true feeling. ‘I was telling Mitch, it’s inspired me to get involved with fund-raising when I get back.’

‘Fantastic, we can always use more money. Sometimes I look at the equipment we have to work with and wonder how we save any lives at all. But raising money is tough and there are a lot of charities competing out there. All of them are doing worthwhile things and many of them much closer to home.’

‘I know, but I’ve got a bit of experience in marketing so maybe I can help.’ She looked across at Mitch, his face now much more animated. Had his reluctance to talk to her been due to her questions, or because she was a woman? ‘I was thinking Mitch would make a great front man for the charity. You know, the real face of Medic SOS.’

Jane giggled, making Brianna warm to her even more. Sparky and fun, she seemed to have no side to her. ‘You’re so right. He could do that sexy, brooding, male model pose so well. I’m not sure you’d be able to persuade him into it though.’

‘Persuade who into what?’ Dan asked, having overheard the last part of their conversation.

Jane rolled her eyes and looked helplessly at Brianna. She obviously wasn’t keen to embarrass her boss. Brianna, on the other hand, had no such compunction. ‘Persuade Mitch into posing for the Medic SOS advertising materials.’

Mitch, who had just taken a swig of his beer, nearly choked on it. ‘What?’

‘How better to promote the charity than with the image of its head doctor?’ she explained. ‘Plus you have the advantage of being good eye candy.’

He stared at her in total shock. She’d never seen anyone so wrong-footed. ‘You’re joking, right?’

She shook her head. ‘Not at all. Far better to use a real person, especially if he’s sexy, rather than a boring model.’

Now he resembled a startled deer. ‘You’re trying to tell me my picture on an advert would entice people into donating their money? What bloody rubbish.’ Slowly he got up. ‘I’ll leave you to play your games. I’m going to get some fresh air.’

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