were sitting at her small dining table munching pizza. They had drawn up a list of everything they needed to check to ensure Liam couldn’t find fault with the project governance and had now moved on to their fake relationship.
‘We know how we met,’ said Hudson.
‘At work. Very clichéd but also very common.’
Hudson nodded. ‘I asked you out and—’
‘I could have asked you out.’ Anna was slightly put out because she wasn’t keen on gender stereotypes.
Hudson’s mouth tweaked at one corner. ‘Okay, but I warn you, I play hard to get. How would you have got me to say yes?’
Anna’s smile reached her eyes. She liked him challenging her. ‘There’s my cute British accent.’ She started to tick things off on her fingers.
He screwed up his nose. ‘Everyone here has one of those. Even Karl.’
‘Fair enough.’ Anna had a think. ‘You were missing America and I invited you to a breakfast meeting with … Pop Tarts, bagels and syrup.’
Hudson was giving her an odd look. ‘It’s a nice thought but Pop Tarts?’
‘Yes. Pop Tarts, you thought it was adorable and we laughed about it and I promised to make you a proper breakfast next time we went out.’ She gave him her best flirty expression.
Hudson nearly choked on his drink. ‘You floozy. But you’ve got yourself a date.’
This was fun – all the flirting with none of the consequences. She thought to herself that she should probably date gay guys more often. They clinked glasses and got back to demolishing the pizza. Anna put a few more turns of black pepper on hers.
‘You like black pepper huh?’
‘On everything.’
‘I make a mean pepper sauce to go with steak.’
‘Mmm, sounds good. Old family recipe?’
‘Err, yes and no. My ex’s old family recipe actually.’ Hudson broke eye contact and seemed to be studying her laminate flooring in great detail. The mood had changed quickly.
‘Bad break-up?’ She had to ask.
‘You could say that. I got unceremoniously dumped by someone I thought was the one.’
It was oddly reassuring that he too had been in Anna’s situation – both dumped by a man. ‘You want to talk about it?’
He pursed his lips and shook his head. ‘All water over the dam now.’
‘Still hurts though, doesn’t it?’ She reached across and gave his arm a squeeze.
‘Sure does. Now tell me about this Bert character, he sounds awesome.’ And just like that the smiles were back.
After the meal Hudson dutifully helped her clear the table and they settled on the sofa with coffees. The door swung open and in marched Maurice. He loved to make an entrance.
‘Are you okay with cats?’ she asked as Maurice made a beeline for Hudson.
‘I love cats,’ he said. ‘And aren’t you a beauty?’ he added, turning his attention to Maurice who responded by swishing his tail in a diva-ish manner.
‘The rescue centre think he’s a …’ She had to think of what breed they’d called him. ‘A Maine Coon I think.’
‘He looks like it. We used to have one when I was a kid. You know they’re an American breed, right?’
Anna rolled her eyes. ‘I’m surrounded.’
Hudson gave a cheeky smile. ‘You’re a lucky lady.’
‘I think Maurice is officially a Brummy now. You’ve got a bit further to go.’ Maurice jumped up and made himself comfortable stretched out on Hudson’s lap, staring up at him adoringly. Goodness, was nobody immune to his charms?
‘Anything I should know to avoid Liam catching me out?’ asked Hudson as he fussed Maurice and Maurice lapped it up.
Anna had a think. University shot into her mind and she instantly dismissed it. ‘You know about my black pepper addiction.’
He nodded sagely. ‘And I know you’re a control freak.’
‘You say it like it’s a bad thing.’
‘Not at all. What else?’
‘I’m afraid of heights and I don’t like mustard.’ She pulled a face like she could taste it burning her tongue.
‘Any brothers or sisters?’
Anna nearly gave her automatic answer but something stopped her. Her spine stiffened. ‘I had a sister.’ Hudson appeared shocked and intuitively reached out and laid his hand on hers. It was a tender and emotionally intelligent gesture. ‘Her name was Lynsey.’
‘I’m sorry, Anna.’ She could see the genuine concern in his eyes.
‘She was fourteen when she had a seizure. It was undiagnosed epilepsy …’ Anna started to tremble. This was something she was sure she had dealt with years ago but right now it didn’t feel that way at all.
She could sense Hudson’s empathy. ‘I can’t imagine how awful that was for you and your folks.’
Anna tried hard to be positive. ‘I think it brought us closer together. Makes you realise how precious the people you love really are.’ She was surprised to hear her voice crack. It had also made her feel a great responsibility to do well in life but he didn’t need to know that.
Hudson reached for her hand. ‘I’m sure there are easier ways to find that out.’ Anna nodded; she was scared of disintegrating into full-on blubbing mode.
‘We’ve all moved on.’ He removed his hand and Anna was keen to push the spotlight off her. ‘What about you?’
She didn’t expect to be questioned at length by Liam – she wasn’t applying for a green card – but just in case it happened she didn’t want the humiliation of getting caught out. Anna also realised their fake relationship was a great way to satisfy her curiosity and find out more about him.
‘No siblings. Nothing much to tell.’
‘Come on, Hudson. What do you like?’
‘I run – a lot. Not like I used to but I try to keep my fitness levels up. I love music. Justin Bieber’s my favourite, which is why I got the tattoo.’
‘Okay …’ She had to admit she was surprised, but she wasn’t going to judge.
A grin spread across his face. ‘I’m jerking around. I like a mix of stuff from Bowie to Red Hot Chili Peppers to Bruno Mars. Not Bieber.’
‘Very eclectic.’
‘How about you?’ He leaned forward and watched her closely.
She thought for a moment and sipped her coffee. ‘I like old films.’
‘What are your favourites?’
She had a think. ‘I love the Ealing Comedies.’
Hudson pulled a face. ‘Never heard of them.’
‘They’re black and white, classic comedies. Very British, like me. You’d love them.’
‘What other films do you like?’
‘Léon.’ She noted his nod of approval. ‘And I absolutely love You’ve Got Mail.’
‘One of my favourites too.’
‘You’re winding me up again.’
He shook his head.
‘Really?’
‘Yeah.