Page 16 of The Reunion

“Can I just reiterate howgorgeousyou looked in that Siriano gown last night?” Attica says as soon as I pick up, an extremely Attica greeting if I’ve ever heard one. “Everyone’s talking about it! You were stunning.” There’s a muffled voice in the background, and her muffled reply in return. “Sorry, Liv. Anyway—people are also loving your little Ransom moment! It was theperfectthing to distract from how that reporter totally crossed the line. They love you together on the show, so we could play that up if that’s something you’re into. Also, hi, by the way!”

There is nothing I am less into than the idea of turning my romantic life into a publicity stunt. Not that there’s any romantic life with Ransom to speak of. My cheeks grow hot, and hotter still as the memory of his touch on my bare skin takes root.

“Liv? Are you there?”

“Hi, yes, sorry,” I say. “I’m glad people seem happy about last night.” If I ignore her suggestion, hopefully she’ll take the hint and leave it alone.

“Yes! They love you.” I hear her clicking away at her laptop. “You’re all set for tomorrow—Vanity Fairin the morning,EWin the afternoon?”

“All good, as long as Bre’s been in touch with Jimmy about when to pick me up.”

“I’m sure she’s on top of it, but I’ll double-check. Anything you need from me, you know where to find me, okay?”

It takes the rest of the day to shake off the phone call, the feelings that sprung up at Attica’s off-the-cuff suggestion. There’s a differencebetweenpublicity for the show—like tomorrow’s photo shoot for the special editionEWis doing to celebrate our milestone anniversary—andpublicity stunt. I’m fully up for the former: it’s part of the job, to promote the show, and Ransom and I are the heart of the show. It’s what we signed on for. But encouraging speculation about us as real, actual people—not just people who pretend they’re in love on a scripted television drama? That is another thing altogether.

I pick up the book I’m reading, try to distract myself. It actually works for a while—it’s good, and the character development is spot-on—but my mind keeps drifting back to Ransom, especially when the main character finds herself alone and under pressure and craving the company of the guy she’s into but currently separated from by half the continent of Antarctica.

Ten chapters later, late in the afternoon, my phone buzzes on the table beside me: it’s Bre.

LIV, LIV, HOLY CRAPis all it says at first. Another bubble pops up immediately.HALO INVITED ME OVER FOR A STUDIO TOUR (!!!!!!!!!!!)—SHE ACTUALLY REMEMBERED AND I AM STUCK IN ALL CAPS LIIIIIIIVVVVVVV

I laugh.AMAZING,I write.When do you get to go?

I hit send, and my phone buzzes with another message almost as soon as I’ve set the phone down. I pick it up, expecting another all-caps reply—but it’s Ransom this time.

it was good to see you last night, he’s written, with an old-school non-emoji:)to punctuate it.

It sends a rush straight to my head, and it’s at this precise moment I know: I’m royally delusional if I try to deny it, thefeeling—a pure and sparkling fizz sparking through my veins.

Logic and reason and history are all still there, bubbling under the surface.

But right now? Despite said history, nothing can argue with this visceral thrill, that Ransom enjoyed seeing me last night—that he’s thinking about me right now, just like I can’t get every moment we spent together at the party out of my head.

This… could be a problem.

Ones to Watch: Liv Latimer in Talks to Take Leading Role in Debut Novel Adaptation!

By Gregor Ives // Senior Editor, Books & Film,West Coast Daily

In today’s edition of Ones to Watch: sources confirm that Liv Latimer has been approached by an unnamed (major!) studio to star in the screen adaptation ofAURORA, an upcoming novel by debut author Emily Quinn. The novel, a survival story set in a futuristic Antarctica, won’t publish until mid-October, but sources say Liv has her hands on an advance copy for her consideration. Updates to follow. Liv Latimer is represented by Marsden Heath at UTA; Emily Quinn is represented by Holly Taylor at Blossom & Co. Literary.

6

“Can it not be reworded?” I ask Mars, as Jimmy shifts lanes on the way fromVanity Fairover toEntertainment Weekly. My interview ran long this morning, so now we’re pressed for time. “It makes it sound like I’m already committed. I’m not even done reading it!”

On the other end of the call, Mars sighs. “It was a leak from one of the publicists working on the book,” she says. “I had nothing to do with it. But honestly, Liv, it’ll only make you more in demand with the others who’ve sent material your way. Everyone else knows the game because they play it, too.”

“The author’s using my name to promote her book,” I say. “There’s more in it for her, I’d think.”

“Thepublisheris using your name to promote her book,” Mars replies. “The author hasn’t said a word about it on any of her social accounts, and you’ve had the book for weeks now—don’t hold it against her.”

I glance out the window, watch the world pass in a blur. “You really think it won’t lock me out of other options down the line?”

“You really think I’d let them get away with it if I thought it would pose even the slightest threat to what’s on the table for you?” she shoots back, quick as ever. I love Mars. She’s got a tongue as sharp as her instincts.

“Good point,” I say, as we pull up toEWwith barely a minute to spare. “Gotta go, Mars. We’re here.”

Inside, the nostalgia hits hard: twenty years ago,EWwas the veryfirst to feature us on a cover. They went digital-only a while back, but decided to go all-out with a collector’s edition to celebrate our milestone anniversary. I’m greeted by a girl in light-wash skinny jeans, a sky-blue button-down, and purple leather flats; she wears glasses with thick clear frames, and her dark hair is layered around her face in waves.

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