“Yes, it’s necessary. Apparently, it’s necessary for me to make sure you follow instructions. Go back to your desk and cancel everything I have today. Answer the interview questions then shut down for the day. When you are done we leave.”

“Leo, it’s a valid question.”

“Get your ass back to your desk and do what I said. Now.”

Asshole. I mutter to myself as I close his door.

“I heard that, Alexa.”

Great, I’ll pay for it later. Whatever, it was worth it. I go through Leo’s calendar, at least today is a light day and easy to rearrange. I’m stunned and thrilled, two days in a row Leo was cutting his day early for me. He really meant what he said.

A buzz of happiness is running through me as I bring up the questions. The title of the small half page feature is 5 Questions with, whoever is being featured that week. But I’m looking at fifteen questions. I’m so not in the mood for more than half of these questions. I get that they are supposed to be witty and light, but they’re just stupid. Taking a deep breath I try to channel light and playful, yet still witty and not an idiot.

It takes a hell of a lot longer than I thought it would. I answer and erase more than once. A few times I look to Miguel’s email for help. The man had sent me a veritable book of an email. I had only been able to glance through it to get the highlights. Everything was in here, the common things of what to say and a long ass list of what not to say, things I should always have with me, from a sharpie to Kleenex to business cards. I hit print on it while I’m thinking of it to read through it later.

Over an hour later, I’m done and call over to Jenny to let her know we’ll be leaving soon. She’s cool about handling my inbox and Leo’s while we are out. Her boss is content to let Jenny fill in, and one of the admins is happy to take over Jenny’s work secondary to what Leo needs to be done.

I send the questions back to the man who sent them and cc Miguel like he asked me to. Two seconds after I hit send Miguel is calling me.

“Hello?”

“I’m so happy you finished the interview questions. Don’t forget two o’clock you have the photo shoot, I won’t be there. My partner and gorgeous boyfriend will be, he’s better at working with Graham. You’ll get the call for the interview from Jason Janikowski around noon today. Nice guy but he gets flirty with anything under forty, so just be aware.