Page 44 of Attraction

Doctor Jacobs smiles—and again they exchange glances and Kat smiles back.

“No, I don’t see it as a problem. I treat everyone as an individual patient—people that need help, there would be no difference in my approach to that.” She answers with confidence. “I’m very adaptable and as I’m sure you can appreciate, as hard as it might be, being a man inthisrole, it’s like being a woman in mine—not without challenges, but nothing that can’t be overcome, if… everyone is willing to be flexible. I’m a fast learner and I’m sure I can cover any lapses in knowledge and study in no time. I appreciate that there will be a requirement for some retraining to fulfill the role but thinking on my feet is one of my strengths.” She sighs, hoping she said all the right things.

He smiles, unimpressed. “I am sure it is.”

Her eyes glance across to Jacobs, and she can see by the way he’s smiling he’s taken with her. She can feel the hot flush in her cheeks as he holds her stare. Their lingering look and the momentary silence is now abruptly interrupted by the beep of pagers.

The two consultants, Jacobs and Wessex, stand up.

“Sorry, we have to go. Janice… Emily. Miss… sorry,LieutenantMorgan, very nice to meet you. I look forward to seeing you again.” Dr Jacobs smiles.

“Thank you very much for your time, it was a pleasure meeting you,” Kat says, shaking his outstretched hand.

“Janice…” Wessex nods. “We’ll discuss this later.”

“Yes, well if no one has anything else to add? Then… we’ll be in touch very soon. Goodbye Ms. Morgan.”

“Katrina…please just call me Katrina.” She smiles, shaking her hand.

“Well thank you for your time,Katrina. I’m sure you can find your own way out?”

“Yes, and again, thank you for giving me this opportunity.”

“I’ll walk with you; I’m going that way.” Riley smiles. He can’t help but think how pretty she is, her green eyes are captivating, and he sighs loudly. Being near her is making him tingle all over. He holds the door, gesturing her through. “Well as I said… it was very nice to meet you. Hopefully, we’ll see each other again… at some point?” He smiles.

“Yes, thank you. It’s been good, and yes hopefully we will meet again soon.”

* * *

“Hey!” Ryan jumps from the couch as Kat returns. “Bud turn that the hell off!” he growls under his breath—Bud scratches around on the floor for the remote while Ryan smiles, distracting her as she places her purse down. “So, you okay?”

“Um, yeah,” she says, looking at the guys strewn around the living room—Zak on the end of the couch, his feet on the table which is cluttered with empty beer bottles. Popcorn and snacks scattered around Bud, who’s laid on his side on the floor. QT, in the corner, still quietly reading while Ozzie’s half-asleep in the other armchair. “So, what’s going on?”

“Movie time.” Bud smiles as the guys all turn around and look at her.

“Oh, okay. Is it somethin’ good?”

“No, not really.” Digby shakes his head, quickly changing the subject. “So how did things go?”

“Yeah, great thanks.” She frowns, also keen to steer the subject in a different direction. “I’m just going to change outta this stuff and then I’ll join you.”

“Oh, we’re just about done here.” He grins and then frowns as the others look at each other and wonder if perhaps he wants them to leave.

“You know, they don’t have to turn the porn off just because of me.” She laughs. “It’s good to unwind and relax—have some fun, right?” She looks up as Zak sniggers into his beer. Kat watches them as they all sit silent, awkwardly trying not to look at her, and then she takes a breath. “Look guys, while I have you all here, and before we go on this exercise, I just wanted to say how much I appreciate what you did for me—what happened with Munroe. Thanks. If you hadn’t been looking out for me, then things might have been quite different. And I know I’m always going to be the weakest part of this team, but… I appreciate you were there for me.”

“Hey, no problem. You’re gonna make the team and we’ve always got your six,” Ozzie says and smiles.

Zak nods, “Yeah he’s right, we got you covered. Now… while you’re standin’ there, don’t just look pretty, make yourself useful and go get the damn beers outta the fridge.”

“Yeah sure, just give me a minute to get changed. Oh and… are we really watching—Hot Russians?” She frowns, holding up the cover to the DVD. “I mean, it’s okay if we are. Oh, and you know if you need it translated… then I can do that.”

The guys look at each other as she disappears into the bedroom. “Wait,” Bud says. “She’s not really gonna translate this, right? I mean, I’m not sure I wanna know what they’re actually sayin’.”

Zak smacks him across the back of his head with his hand. “No, you dumbass… Put it back on.”

* * *

Picking up the beer from the worktop she takes a long swig, the cold taste on her tongue is so good. Turning around, she smiles watching the guys all relaxed, being themselves. It’s a nice feeling and for once in her life, she feels like she fits in.

---