“It’s fine, Blaire.” Hudson stood up slowly, looming over her now, his brawny frame blocking out the light from the windows. She had to tip her head back just to see his face. How obnoxious. “So, Ms. Dev—Annika.” He rubbed his jaw and looked down at his feet, as if collecting his thoughts. Then he looked back up at her. “It’s … been a while. How can I help you?”

She swallowed and wiped her palms surreptitiously on her skirt. “You moved here. Right down the hall from me.”

His expression didn’t waver. “I see.” Annika could feel Blaire’s gaze burning a hole into the side of her face. The redhead was standing back, hands clasped, watching placidly. The seconds ticked on, but Hudson didn’t add anything further.

I see? What the hell did I see mean? “You—you stole my idea and now you’re here!” Annika said in a burst, unable to take his cryptic weirdness anymore.

Hudson frowned slightly and raised one thick blond eyebrow. “I stole your idea? If I remember correctly, your idea was to play matchmaker. Mine’s the exact opposite.”

“Is to play matchmaker.” Annika balled her hands into fists, realizing she’d danced right into his little verbal trap. “But I’m not playing at anything. Make Up’s about second chances,” she continued hotly. “Don’t tell me this is all just a big coincidence.” Annika waved a hand at the room.

The redhead coughed out something that sounded suspiciously like “Cuckoo.” Blaire snickered. Annika glared at them.

“I’m sorry.” Hudson’s eyes were still fixed on her. It was unnerving, how he seemed to peer right into her soul. Definitely a cult leader in the making. “I’m not following. How did I steal your idea again?”

“Let me count the ways.” Annika held up one finger. “First, our names. I chose Make Up and you chose Break Up? Come on—could you be more unoriginal? Second, take our slogans. Mine’s Happily Ever After, Redux and you choose Your Life, Restarted. How much more obvious could you get?”

Hudson frowned. “Annika, when did you launch your business?”

“October of last year.”

“Blaire, when did we launch the Break Up app?”

“September sixteenth of last year,” she replied immediately, smiling triumphantly at Annika.

“So maybe you’re copying us, Ms. Dev,” Hudson said. All three of them burst out laughing.