Page 35 of My Twin Sister's Extremely Famous and Incredibly Hot Neighbor

“Good. You need to get away from him. Don’t fall for his nice guy act. He’s an actor. It’s what he does best. You know what he called me the other day? A megalomaniac.” Jera grunted. “He also told me he was going to counter sue me. He’s threatened all kinds of things, Mackenzie.”

I frown. That didn’t sound so nice, but I’d spent the last two days with him. I’ve gotten to know him. He’s not a jerk. “He apologized,” I say, hoping to convince her.

“Of course he did. He wants something from me, and if you’re being nice to him, he thinks he can get it. Think about it. Would it make sense that he’s being so nice to someone who’s suing him?”

I stare at my fingernails. Could she possibly be right? Was all this between Dustin and me just a ploy to get out of a lawsuit? He has mentioned the fence a few times now. And he’s been extra nice. Was it all an act?

I remember how he was when he first came over. He was talking so much about the fence and wanting to settle it outside of court. Then when I wouldn’t talk, that’s when he started being so nice and saying he’d help me with my phone.

A hole opens up inside of me, enveloping me. Could Jera actually be right? Itwasa little unbelievable that Dustin Sawyer would suddenly be intome. Jera’s the outgoing one who has all the friends. I’m the one who is awkward around men. Thinking about it now, away from his mesmerizing good looks, it does sound ridiculous.

“Promise me you’ll stay away from him,” Jera says, pleading.

The hole spreads until I have one giant hole inside me. “All right,” I say. “I’ll stay away.”

“That’s good.”

My thoughts turn to her ex. “Luke was at the gala last night.”

“He was? Did he talk to you?”

“He manhandled me and yelled at me in front of everyone.” The memory makes me angry all over again.

“What? Oh, no, Mackenzie. I’m so sorry. What a jerk.”

“Yeah. I told him you guys are over.”

“Good. Because we are.”

I stare at the rug on the floor. “Has he ever…hurt you?”

“What? No. I mean, he’s a passionate person, but he’s not abusive.” She scoffs, like I’m crazy.

“Are you sure? He was scary last night.”

“If he saw you with Dustin, I can only imagine. He probably thinks I lied to him about the lawsuit and everything.” She gasps. “He probably thinks I’ve been cheating on him.”

“You’re not going back to him, are you?”

“No. Not again. I’m done with him.”

“Good.” I’m glad Jera’s done with Luke. I’m so relieved he didn’t come around last night. My shoulders slump as I think about all Jera told me about Dustin. He even stayed the night last night. I thought it was to protect me from Luke. I guess it was just to butter me up so I’d drop the lawsuit.

Jera exhales. “I have to go now but call me later. I need to give you more instructions. The photo shoot is in three days, and you need to get ready.”

“Get ready?”

“Yes. Absolutely no cheese or pasta. There’s more, but I’m late for my spa treatment. I’ll chat later.”

I say goodbye and hang up, feeling lost and suddenly so alone.

CHAPTER18

Iexit the den and wind my way through Dustin’s house, my body numb. I don’t know what to think anymore. My brain hurts, and my heart hurts, and I just want to shut down. Was everything a ploy to get out of the lawsuit?

I make my way back to the kitchen. Dustin is on the floor playing with Squint. I stop short. Oh, why does he have to be so adorable, playing with my dog on the floor? I take another step and my mouth drops when I see he’s playing tug-of-war with a rubber dog bone.

“Did you buy a dog toy?”

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