Annika narrowed her eyes. Even though his words would be construed as a compliment by everybody on this planet, his tone implied he was making a joke of some kind. Maybe this was how it’d be during the interview, too—him saying things that would be great in print, but would be obviously condescending and aggravating in person. Well, fine. Let him play his games. Annika was too smart to fall for them. “Compliments to throw me off? Isn’t that a little obvious for you?”

He squinted his eyes in confusion, but the photographer spoke before he could.

“For the first picture,” Callum said, “let’s get the two of you with legs crossed, elbows resting loosely on the chair arms, giving me your best competitor face. Really cold, really calculating. This is a cutthroat world, and you’re at the top of your game.”

Annika felt like a total idiot giving face as Callum took a series of pictures, but June stood behind him, shooting her lots of thumbs-ups and big grins. Annika kind of wished she wouldn’t; Hudson’s team was still coolly hanging out on the couches, as if this was all old news to them.

“Great, great,” Callum said, adjusting something on his camera. “Now how about the two of you stand? Let’s get the chairs and skyline behind you. Good, now turn so your backs are against each other and cross your arms, but look this way.”

Annika did as he asked, her mind racing. Feeling Hudson’s firm back against hers reminded her of their yoga session. The way they’d been partnered up, the way Hudson had whispered in her ear, his fingers on her inner knee—

“Now that’s very seductive, Annika,” Callum laughed. “But can we get a little more cold, calculating businesswoman?”

Annika’s cheeks heated as she caught June’s wide eyes. Hudson chuckled knowingly behind her, as if he knew exactly what she’d been daydreaming about. Anger crept up Annika’s face, like a living mask.

“Excellent!” Callum called out. “Now we’re seeing it, Annika—you’re merciless, you’re murderous, you’re savage!”

“It’s easy when you actually feel that way about your opponent,” Annika said. Both Callum and Emily laughed, but Hudson, she noticed, was very quiet. His back had stiffened.

“Save it for the interview, Annika!” Emily called, and Annika grinned at June.

Once all the pictures were taken, they took their seats again, and Emily pulled up an extra chair to sit in front of them. June walked off to speak with Ziggy in the corner, and Annika sat up straighter. It was showtime.