Page 76 of Stolen

“Where are you from? What makes you tick?”

“I’m from San Antonio?” He seemed unsure of his own answer. “And what makes me tick? Uh, being successful? I like itwhen things go well for me. And I tend to not like it when they don’t.”

“Oh, baby.” I let out a small sigh as I shook my head. “You can be more natural than that.”

“No. I really can’t.” Leo grimaced before he pulled a pillow over his face. “I’m going to bomb. Tommy’s going to have to edit our interview to death, and, even then, people are still going to be able to tell that I have the charisma of a dead fish.”

“Having charisma even after death? That’s a pretty impressive fish.”

“Jacob. I’m serious.” Leo moved the pillow down to his eyes. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me or why I get so weird when it comes to stuff like this?—”

“Wait.”

“Wait, what?”

“I think I know what’s going on,” I continued. “The reason you get so weird in front of cameras is because it’s unnatural. No one is ever just talking to a camera, so your brain starts to get all nervous and feel awkward.”

“Yeah, that’s exactly what I just said?—”

“So, why don’t you have the interview somewhere that you feel comfortable?” I suggested. “Somewhere where it can feel like you’re talking to a real person, even if it’s just out of the corner of your eye?”

“Like where?”

I smirked, as the perfect place popped right into my mind. “Tell Tommy to meet us at the bar.”

I watchedLeo slip into his usual place behind the bar, his breaths seeming to come slow and steady. He reached for abottle of liquor, easily twirling it in his hands before pouring a shot for no one in particular. I let out a sigh of relief, just as Tommy stepped into the bar, his photography gear tight in his grip.

Perfect.

“How you doing, boss?” Tommy started, as he began to set up for the interview. “How are you feeling this morning?”

“I’m feeling pretty good.” Leo smiled. “I think I’m ready for the interview, at least.”

“You’re going to do great, you know?” Tommy pressed a few buttons on his camera. “You’re a natural. I’ve seen the way you are with the guys.” He then nodded toward the bar. “Is someone else joining us for the interview? Or is that drink up for grabs?”

“Oh, actually—” Leo pointed over toward me.

And Tommy’s head followed Leo’s hand. “Oh! Hey, Jacob! Sorry, I didn’t see you there. I had a bit of interview subject tunnel vision.”

“Happens to the best of us.” I grinned. “But you don’t need to worry about me. I’m just going to be here in the shadows.”

“Spoken like a future photographer.” Tommy chuckled before he brought his attention back to Leo. “All right, then. Let’s get started. We don’t need to do everything in one take, and I can always edit whatever you think comes out too wonky.”

“Okay. Sounds good.”

“You ready?” Tommy held up a thumb.

“Ready.” Leo returned the thumbs up as he set the bottle of liquor down on the bar.

“And… action,” Tommy murmured. “Here we are at the Sunset Lodge in beautiful Roanoke, Virginia. We’re here with Leo Sullivan, the brains behind a genius PR campaign, featuring some of the top athletes of today. Leo, how did you come up with this whole idea?”

Leo was quiet for a few seconds. His face seemed to drain of all color.

But then, miraculously, he started to speak, his usual charm flowing through every word. “Well, I think it all just made sense, you know? Bring some athletes out in nature. See how it goes. I even planned a snowstorm to make things a little more exciting.”

“The snowstorm? That was you?”

“We PR people are a lot more powerful than you might think.” Leo chuckled. “Controlling the weather is just one of the many things people expect us to do on a daily basis.”

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