Page 30 of Do Opposites Attract?

‘I certainly won’t miss all the back-breaking unloading,’ she complained, rubbing at the small of her back.

‘Will you miss any of it?’ Dan asked, plonking himself down on another box.

‘Umm, let me think. Showering with cold water, no. Sleeping in a tent, no. Eating what seems to be porridge three times a day, no,’ she replied, counting them off on her fingers. Then she grinned. ‘The people, yes. Are you up for a night in town again, a farewell drink? Mitch said he would try to get back for it.’

Dan’s eyebrows shot up. ‘Mitch did?’

‘Don’t sound so shocked. I’m sure there’s a human being in there somewhere. It just needs a bit of coaxing to come out.’

‘Or maybe it needs a beautiful woman.’

Brianna flushed. Not from the compliment, she was used to those, but from the implication. Had Dan guessed she’d shared Mitch’s bed last night? Had he heard them? ‘I doubt Mitch would bow to the bidding of any woman, whatever she looked like.’

Dan laughed. ‘Yes, you’re right there. We’ve had a few foxy chicks drift in and out over the years, but he hasn’t seemed too bothered.’

‘No?’ She told herself it was just idle curiosity. It wasn’t as if she was that interested in Mitch’s love life, not really.

‘I don’t think Mitch is aware of the effect he has on the opposite sex. He’s great with his patients, but that seems to be where his people skills end. Anyway, you know me by now. I’m definitely up for a night out. I’ll gather the troops and we’ll head off around seven?’

Seven o’clock came. Everyone gathered by the jeep, ready to go out. Everyone except for Stuart and Roger, who were on call. And except Mitch, who was nowhere to be seen. Brianna ignored the spike of disappointment and hustled everyone into the jeep. It didn’t matter that Mitch wasn’t there. Dan, Jane, Toby and Tessa were. They would go and have a good night out.

* * *

And they did. Without Mitch around, Tessa became a lot friendlier and after several rounds of beer, all five of them were laughing and joking.

‘So, confess up.’ Jane’s attention turned to Brianna. ‘Was it you in Mitch’s tent last night?’

Suddenly four pairs of eyes rounded on her. Three held amused interest, one a flash of cold dislike. Brianna paused and took refuge in her drink. ‘Why do you ask?’

‘Because,’ Jane said with a giggle, ‘Toby and I share the tent next to his. We definitely heard a female scream, though it was quickly muffled.’

She stifled the groan, but only just. Oops. What on earth was she meant to do now? Would Mitch be livid if she admitted to his team that she’d slept with him? Probably. She certainly knew one person who’d be more than cross at hearing the truth. In fact, if looks could kill, Tessa would have shot her right between the eyes by now. ‘It surely can’t be the first time you’ve heard a woman in his tent,’ she prevaricated, trying not to look directly at anyone.

Toby laughed. ‘I can’t imagine he’s a monk, but he doesn’t usually entertain women when he’s on camp. So, was it you?’

Brianna wondered if she could get away with ignoring the question and asking if anybody wanted another drink. But looking at the very interested eyes resting on her, she doubted it. ‘It might have been.’

‘Well, knock me down with a feather,’ Toby exclaimed, clearly enjoying the gossip.

‘And I thought you were saving yourself for me,’ Dan piped up, though he had an easy smile on his face, indicating he wasn’t seriously bothered.

Tessa, on the other hand, was clearly extremely bothered. ‘I’m just going to the ladies,’ she stammered as she lurched up from her chair, the blood fast disappearing from her face.

Brianna watched her go with a rush of genuine sympathy. It must be hard, carrying a torch for someone who didn’t return your feelings.

Jane placed a reassuring hand on Brianna’s arm. ‘Don’t worry about Tessa,’ she whispered as Dan and Toby stood up to get another round. ‘It might do her good. She’s pined away for Mitch for far too long. At least now she knows there’s no hope for her in that direction.’

Brianna resisted the impulse to burst into uncontrollable laughter. ‘Hold up there. You’re putting two and two together and making a lot more than four. Mitch and I just had a little fling. I’m not sure we’ll even repeat the experience.’

Jane gaped at her. ‘Hey, you’re not about to shatter my dreams and tell me Mitch is a disappointing lover, are you?’

Now it was Brianna’s turn to look shocked. ‘It’s okay, Jane, your fantasies are still very much intact. But he would die if he knew we were having this conversation.’

‘Very probably. But this is just between you and me. I love Toby, of course.’ Her eyes hastily scanned the bar, checkingher husband was out of earshot. ‘But Mitch? Well, he’s most women’s fantasy man, isn’t he? Sexy, moody, but underneath a heart full of compassion. He just needs the right woman to crack him. Maybe he’s found her.’

‘Oh no, slow down there. Mitch and I shared one night of, albeit amazing, sex. I don’t want you reading anything more into it.’ She bit her lip and found herself sighing. ‘He certainly isn’t.’

‘And you?’

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