Page 44 of The Reunion

Her eyebrows practically go through the roof—this isn’t a thing we do, usually, mixing cast and crew on breaks, and even though she’s new around here, I can tell she knows enough to appreciate the offer.

“Let me just— I need to ask—”

I wave her off. “I’ve got you.” We won’t be gone more than fifteen minutes—there’s a good coffee shop right here on the lot.

Ransom gives a small wave and mouths a relievedThank youwhen he’s sure Evy isn’t looking.

Thank me later, I mouth back.

He grins, eyes sparkling as he shuts the door between us.

Later can’t come soon enough.

#5Facts: Rising Star Millie Matson!

By Octavia Benetton // Staff Writer,Love & Lightning Rounds

Hey heyyyy, Lightning Bugs—welcome back to this week’s edition of #5Facts, featuring everything you never knew you needed to know about rising star (and former scene-stealing child actress fromGotV) Millie Matson! Unless you’ve been living on the moon for the past week, you’ve no doubt heard Millie’s latest single, “Midnight,” which skyrocketed to the top of the charts. And it’s only gaining traction—understandably, as it is one SERIOUSLY catchy melody that somehow makes you love it more every time you hear it. SO! With that in mind, even though Sasha-Kate has been ourGirlobsession for years, we thought we’d do something a little different and give some love to Millie, who’s gone a bit under the radar for too long. We have a feeling her star might just outshine the others in her orbit soon—and that’s truly saying something, coming from us.

1. Millie wrote all her own songs for the upcomingMidnightalbum!Unlike her first two ventures—Bubblegum!andPeaches—Millie took a three-year break between albums, handpicked a new producer to collaborate with (and might we add, his musical sense is as hot as he happens to be), and wrote every single song herself. You’ve already heard “Midnight,” but we were given an exclusive preview of three more songs on the upcoming album, and let us just say: you are NOT ready for them, they WILL be on repeat for the rest of this year, and you’re going to love every single second. Be on the lookout for sparse, sexy, infectious late-in-the-albumtrack “Spark,” as well as the wild ride that is “Tiger Queen,” and—of course—the next single set to drop, “Meet Me in the Garden.”

2. Millie masterminded her own launch strategyfor this album, which is debatably even more impressive than the fact that she wrote every track. It’s clear she’s intent on taking the reins of her career in her own hands, and even clearer that she’s incredibly competent at it. From her Snapaday presence (anyone else following along with the hints she’s been dropping?) to the makeup look themed specifically for this album (please tell me I’m not the only one who spent an hour picking silver star-and-moon confetti from my carpet after a particularly vindictive cat knocked the tube off the table) to the timing of when/how she drops each single for maximum effectiveness (hi, yes, how many of you are only just now hearing aboutGirl on the Verge*because* of Millie’s music/Snapaday account? THOUGHT SO. On the flip side, I suspect there’s an equal number ofGotVviewers hearing about Millie’s *music* because they’re fans of the show. Girl’s got good instincts.), Millie’s had a hand in every step of the way. Her approach is clearly working.

3. Millie is single!In all the photos we’ve seen since “Midnight” blew up—and there have been A LOT of photos—there hasn’t been even a hint that she’s seeing someone. Unless, of course, you count her ever-present new security guy, who I’ve affectionately named Paolo. Doesn’t he look like a Paolo, y’all? (I hear his actual name is Thomas, but you know. Details.)

4. Millie loves the Alps!Although she lives full-time in Los Angeles for ~obvious reasons~, Millie’s favorite place on earth is France’s exclusive luxury ski resort Courchevel 1850—she and her family vacation there for Christmas everyyear, thanks to a mix of family connections and, we assume, herGotVearnings. Check out Millie’s gorgeous Snapaday posts from her last trip—don’t you just want to climb through the phone and live in those photos forever???

5. Millie’s got a green thumb!Rumor has it that Millie’s favorite way to unwind is… wait for it… to drink mint iced tea grown from seeds in her very own garden, while walking around barefoot in said garden watering her various plants. Knowing what you now know, you might assume her next single “Meet Me in the Garden” would be pretty tame, buuuuuut… let me be the first to say: no. No, no—tame it is not. Millie clearly enjoys *other* ways to unwind in her garden, if you catch my drift. ;)

OKAY! Aaaaaaand that’s it for today’s #5Facts—hope you enjoyed this special Millie Matson–focused edition! Question of the day for you: If you’re new around this blog, which did you hear of first, Millie’s music *or*Girl on the Verge? And for everyone, which of Millie’s singles are you most excited to hear? Sound off below!

14

We’re back in ten minutes—the coffee shop was quick today. I’m headed for my trailer, finally ready for a moment to myself after parting ways with Evy near the soundstage, when Bryan intercepts me.

“Liv, hi,” he says, falling into step beside me. “I need you to do something for me.” He doesn’t wait for me to ask questions. “We’re about to start shooting, but I need to make sure Ransom’s good for it—can’t handle any more delays today. He’s not in the first half of this scene, so I want you to go run lines with him until I need him.”

I take a long sip of my flat white, an excellent disguise for the smile creeping onto my face.

“Sure, yes, of course,” I say. “I’ll head straight there.”

“Great, Liv, thanks.” His pace is quick, his slick leather soles staccato against the pavement. “Oh, and Liv—don’t miss another call time.”

Without another word, or even a backward glance, he turns and heads toward the soundstage. Warnings like that used to sting, back when I was expected to be as perfect as Honor. Now, though, I tuck it deep in my mind. It won’t happen again.

I knock lightly on Ransom’s trailer door. The smell of coconut curry is strong, even from here. When he opens it, I know we’re in trouble—he’s shirtless, not quite fully changed into his costume for the next scene. There is absolutely no way we’re going to manage to simplyrun linesthe whole time. If we spend half the time rehearsing, it will be a blazing success.

“Bryan sent me to run lines with you,” I say by way of greeting, my voice cracking. I’m working really, really hard to keep my eyes from wandering down to the abs that earned his most recent millions—to the waistband of his pants, low on his hips, the very tip of the tiny triangle tattoo peeking out from underneath. This is decidedlynotthe same body I knew in our last season on set, proof in the flesh that some things getmuchbetter with age.

He smirks, his lopsided grin telling me we’re on exactly the same page. “Oh, isthatwhat we’re calling it now?”

I slip inside, quickly, before someone sees—even though we’ve literally been directed to spend time together, it’s good to be careful. Bryan isn’t a fan of on-set romance, and I don’t want to invite speculation.

I set my coffee on a table just inside the door and rummage around my bag for the script. I should at leasttryto focus—

Or that’s my plan, anyway, until I look up and see the way he’s looking at me.

“What?” I say, a blush creeping into my cheeks.

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