Page 18 of My Twin Sister's Extremely Famous and Incredibly Hot Neighbor

Dustin looks at me like I’ve suggested we put mayonnaise on our ice cream. “What?”

“I mean, there’s just one fence between our properties. We could…” My voice trails off. The whole fence thing my sister has going with Dustin smacks me upside the head. I’m such an idiot. “Never mind,” I say quietly.

Dustin swallows as he puts his car into park. “Jera,” he says quietly. “Do we really need to take this whole thing to court?”

I pet Squint and stare at the floor mat. I’m in so much trouble. I’d forgotten all about the feud between Jera and Dustin. What am I supposed to say to him? I can’t tell him anything, because no matter what I say I’ll be putting words into Jera’s mouth.

The seconds tick by as I try to think of something I can say that won’t get me into trouble with Jera and won’t sound lame to Dustin. I open my mouth to speak, but then close it again.

“You know what?” he says. “Forget I even brought it up.” Dustin hops out of the car and pulls open my door.

I look up at him. “I’m sorry,” I say as I get out of the car. Guilt constricts my throat. I feel bad for all the lying I’m doing.

“No, I was wrong to say something. I don’t want to ruin today with talk about property lines and fences.” He holds out his arm to me, like we’re about to walk down the red carpet or something.

I take his arm, grateful for his suggestion. “All right. Let’s not talk about it.”

Squint jumps out of my arms when we enter Dustin’s house. He follows us into the kitchen. Dustin goes out the patio door and takes the brisket out of the smoker. He brings it into the kitchen. My mouth waters as he places it on a wooden cutting board to cool.

He opens his refrigerator “What side dish should we make?”

“What were you going to make before you invited me over?”

“Cheesy mashed potatoes. But they’re really not a good diet food.”

I playfully shove his shoulder. “Why do you keep asking if I’m on a diet? Are you trying to tell me something?”

“No! I just—” He stops and offers me a sheepish look. “I’ve been around Hollywood types my whole life. Everyone is on a diet all the time.”

“Well, I’m not.”

He smiles as he pulls out the butter, cream cheese, and a few other types of cheese from the fridge. “All right then, cheesy mashed potatoes it is. But tomorrow is going to be a salad day.”

I grin at him. “Are you inviting me over for that, too? Because I love a good salad.”

He chuckles. “I never know what you’re going to say.”

“And that’s why you like me?” I bat my eyelids at him. I’m being way too flirty, but I suddenly don’t care. I’m having fun and ignoring the consequences.

He shuts the fridge and turns to me, putting both hands on the counter on either side of me, pinning me. His gaze sweeps over my face. “I do like you, Jera. More than I ever thought I would.”

My heart beats fast and my breath catches. I can smell Dustin’s cologne. It’s a musky, heady smell, and it’s mixed with the scent of him. I think I’m going to faint. Then I process what he just said. “You didn’t think you’d like me?” I ask quietly.

“That’s not what I meant,” he says, standing back. “That first day, when you came over to welcome me to the neighborhood, I was quite attracted to you. But then I had that party, and…well, you know.”

I don’t know, but I assume from the bits I’ve heard that Jera wasn’t too nice to him. I drop my gaze. “I’m sorry all that happened.”

“Me, too. After that happened, I thought I knew the real you, and I have to admit I didn’t like what I saw.”

My stomach sours. Jera has her issues. She can act like a spoiled brat sometimes, but she has a sweet side, too. “I’m not always proud of myself,” I whisper. “But I try.”

“I get that. I’d hate to be judged solely on the worst thing I’ve ever done. I’m just seeing a different side to you right now, and I’m curious.” His gaze meets mine and lingers there.

I wait a second but he doesn’t finish, so I ask, “About what?”

“Which Jera is the real Jera?”

CHAPTER10

---