Annika tossed Hudson a victorious look. “Yes, a charity marathon. Alesandro’s very philanthropically minded. He’s working to make the world a better place.”

“Carb-loading helps me keep my energy up.” Alesandro dug into his carbonara. “I want to shave another minute off my time.” With his fork in one hand, he mimed running, pumping his arms by his side and puffing out breaths of air. “I think tomorrow’s the day.”

Hudson glanced at Annika, his eyebrows raised, as if he were saying, “Really? This guy?”

Like he was such a prize. Annika sat up straighter and said, “Alesandro also owns a Greek bakery. He’s very successful.”

“Oh, I don’t know about that,” Alesandro protested, going back to his food.

“He’s just being modest,” Annika said, looking at Hudson pointedly. “Modesty’s so hard to come by nowadays, don’t you think?”

Hudson turned to Alesandro. “Are you into Nerf or paintball at all? Because those pastimes become a real liability around Annika.”

Alesandro looked perplexed. “Oh, okay—”

Annika leaned forward, clutching her miniature wine barrel. “Well, don’t let Hudson near your bakery. He can’t attract customers on his own, so he likes to poach other people’s—ones they came by honestly, with hard work and diligence and ethics, things he knows nothing about.”

Hudson raised an eyebrow and looked at Alesandro. “Annika likes to accuse people of stealing her ideas with absolutely zero evidence. Has she accused you of stealing a family recipe yet? Because she will; it’s just a matter of time.” He leaned forward and spoke sotto voce. “You should get out while you still can.”

Annika felt anger engulf her. “I do not just randomly accuse people—”

“Is there something going on here?” Alesandro asked, setting his fork down and looking from Hudson to Annika. “Between you two?”

“Nothing besides animosity,” Annika said, barking a laugh. “Seriously, Alesandro, I—”

“She’s always been obsessed with my pecs,” Hudson said, crossing his arms.

“What?” she spluttered. “Alesandro, don’t believe—”

“Yeah.” Alesandro patted his lips with his napkin. “I thought so.” He looked at Annika. “You weren’t connecting with me tonight. I felt it, you felt it. And I think I know why now.” He scraped his chair back.

“Ale—”

“No, it’s okay.” Alesandro smiled a little. “I understand. I’ve been hung up on other people before, too. Just call me if this doesn’t work out, okay?” He gestured at Hudson and nodded at the two of them. “I’ll settle the bill before I leave.” Without another glance backward, he strode toward the hostess stand.

They watched him go for a moment, and then Hudson turned back to her, his eyes sparkling with mirth. “Seriously, if he scares that easy…”