The Reunion by Kayla Olson(48)
“The one with the sled dogs?” Attica cuts in. She’s obsessed with dogs.
“Yes, the one with the sled dogs,” Mars says. “But yes, Elina is a solid choice for that script, so things will probably start moving quickly from here—which means we’ll have some decisions to make. You’re still their first choice for the lead, so they’re willing to give us time as we nail down next steps with Vienna and Fanline, but the more people they attach, the harder it will be to make sure we have a say in the shooting schedule. So. If you’re on board, I can give them a tentative yes—but I understand if you need a little time to weigh your options.”
“A little time would be great, thanks,” I say, an understatement. The commitments I make in the coming weeks will affect the next few years. A thousand actresses would kill for the chance to star in any one of these projects, let alone have their pick; even for me, this is an unusual deluge of high-quality opportunity. All the more reason I need to stay focused on set—a deluge can turn to drought in a heartbeat. Hollywood’s brutal like that.
Bre’s engrossed in her planner, making quick notes. Sensing that Mars is finally done with the bulk of what she wanted to cover, Attica pounces on the silence.
“So, Liv, I’ve already been thinking about this for a little while, but if what Caroline says is true, I think it’s even more important we make the most of all our opportunities here—do you think you could post some more content of you and Ransom together on your feed?”
I cough a little as my chardonnay goes down the wrong way. Bre glances up from her notes, a look on her face I can’t quite read.
“People are still talking about your last photo together,” Attica goes on. “If we’re concerned about Fanline minimizing your role on the show, what better way to remind them the fandom wants Honor and Duke front and center than to have the entire internet losing their minds at the sight of the two of you together?”
Bre shakes her head. “I don’t know if a publicity stunt like that is the way to go right now, Attica,” she says, glancing my way. “Especially so soon after Ransom’s breakup with Gemma.”
Attica knows I draw the line at sharing my romantic life in public—but she has no idea there’s any romantic life to speak of with Ransom.
Ransom’s hands tangled in my hair, his lips on mine, his skin hot beneath—
“That actually makes the timing perfect,” Attica replies, and my thoughts turn to dust. “It would only complicate things if he was still with Gemma—now that he’s not with her, that’s one less obstacle in the way.”
“Maybe what I meant to say is, do you really think a publicity stunt like that is the way to go… at all?” Bre’s set her pencil down entirely now. She doesn’t usually get so involved in discussions like this. “People see through those things.”
Attica waves her off. “People see what they want to see—and we can use that.”
My stomach twists at the idea, never mind the fact that what they’d be seeing between Ransom and me is actually real. I cling to my father’s words like scripture in moments like these: People will take as much as you give them, Livvie. Be careful to keep some things for yourself.
Our server arrives, a welcome distraction that leads to an even more welcome subject change. Attica and the server get to talking about the small dog someone brought with them to dinner, seated all the way on the opposite side of the rooftop, and Bre jumps on the opportunity to steer things back around to business.
“If Vienna’s free tonight, Liv, would that work for you? You’ve got a somewhat early morning on set”—to her credit, she doesn’t give me the Look to remind me that I absolutely cannot be late again tomorrow—“but if she’s available on short notice, maybe you can head her way right after we’re done here?”
I’ll have to push my plans back with Ransom: his place tonight, plans I’d very much love to keep. I haven’t caught Bre up on the latest with Ransom, though, so I can’t just come out and say that—telling them about my plans would only add fuel to Attica’s publicity stunt idea.
“Yes, that would work.” Disappointment flutters in my stomach. I know Ransom will understand, and I’m beyond thrilled to get the chance to sit down with Vienna about a new project—but still.
“Perfect,” Bre says, pushing away from the table even though she’s barely made a dent in her food. “I’ll put in a call right now, back in a few!”
Forty minutes later, I’m in the back of Jimmy’s Mercedes, full of spicy tuna roll, truffle fries, and chardonnay, thankful the outfit I chose today will work for an impromptu meeting with Vienna at her secluded bungalow up in the hills.
So, so sorry to do this, but I have to cancel for tonight, I type out to Ransom. Last minute meeting scheduled (WITH VIENNA LAWSON)(!!!!!)… rain check for tomorrow night instead?
He writes back immediately, just a GIF of Vienna Lawson from the Oscars several years back—the look on her face is pure joy, a moment caught just after she found out her friend Jude St. Stephens won Best Costume Design. Not everyone realizes this GIF was from the same year Vienna was snubbed by the Academy. That she could show up amid the controversy and be that happy for her friend, not a trace of envy on her face, makes me respect her all the more.