Page 42 of My Twin Sister's Extremely Famous and Incredibly Hot Neighbor

“It’s okay. Just read through them. No pressure. I’ll read Beckett’s part.”

I swallow down my nerves. This isn’t a big deal. Jera assured me this was just a formality. I can do this. I clear my throat. “I’m leaving Coast Haven tomorrow. You can’t stop me.” I try to put some resolve behind my words.

“Daphne,” Dustin says, his voice full of emotion. I marvel at how he did that. There’s a wealth of backstory packed in that one name. I can hear how much he loves her, and how it’s ripping him apart to have her leave. It’s so powerful I tear up.

I try to get into my part more, thinking about what Daphne might be feeling. “Don’t, Beckett. I can’t do this anymore. I’m going to New York.”

Dustin looks up from his risotto. His gaze connects with mine. His eyes hold hurt. “Are you sure you’re not running away? From me? From us?”

I have no idea how Dustin puts so much heart and soul in his words, but I’m tearing up again. I turn from him because that’s what the script says to do. “I need time away.”

“All right,” Dustin says, all the energy gone from his voice. He sounds defeated. “If you need to go…” He lets his voice trail off.

My heart breaks for him. And for Daphne, who once loved him. “I’m sorry,” I whisper.

Dustin leaves his pan and comes up behind me. He slowly puts his arms around me, enveloping me with warmth. “I’m sorry, too.”

I turn to him and put my hands on his face. He looks like he’s going to cry. His expression moves me, and I feel his pain. “I need to figure out who I am.”

“Do you?” he says, probing and tentative.

I close my eyes. “Yes,” I say as I step away. I ache to be back in his arms.

“I’ll miss you,” he says, and his words shake my soul.

I’ve forgotten my next line, so I sneak a peek at my phone. It’s my monologue. I try to get into the headspace of my character. “I would be lying if I say I won’t miss you, Beckett.” I look at his expression, and my heart breaks. “But I can’t do this anymore. Not right now. Sarah’s death broke me. It broke us. We’re not the same, and it kills me. I have to do some thinking. I need to find who I am without her.”

Dustin lowers his head. “I won’t stop you. But don’t forget, Sarah was my daughter, too.”

Pain slices through in his words, and a tear falls down my cheek. “I know.”

I glance at my phone. That’s the end of the scene.

Dustin pulls me to him again and breaks character. “I knew you could do it,” he says, kissing my forehead. “You have nothing to be nervous about. That was perfect.”

I take in a deep breath, getting myself under control. “Will I be reading with you?”

He shakes his head and turns back to his risotto. “Probably not. I’m guessing they’ll have us read separately.”

Disappointment crashes into me. Dustin was the only reason I was able to do that scene well. “Is there any way they’d let us read together?”

“I can ask. Maybe they would. I’m reading for Beckett anyway, so doing the scene together makes sense.” Dustin removes the pan from the heat.

I give myself a pep talk. If they let Dustin read with me, I’ll be fine. I won’t mess this up for Jera.

CHAPTER22

Igrip the seat as Dustin pulls into the studio lot. I left Squint at Dustin’s house, and I’m regretting that decision. My hands don’t know what to do with themselves. Dustin must have noticed, because he reaches over and pries my fingers off his leather seat and slips his hand into mine. “You’ll do a great job,” he says.

I clutch his hand so tight I’m afraid he’s going to complain, but he doesn’t. He just smiles at me and parks his car. I try to convince myself this is going to be okay. As we walk into the building, I take in a deep breath. Dustin will keep me calm.

I follow Dustin through a couple of hallways until we get ushered into a waiting room with several people. Chairs line the room and Dustin motions for me to sit. We take some seats and wait. A large clock on the wall ticks the seconds.

A woman with a clipboard enters. She has short, black hair and looks to be in her early 20s. The woman scans the room and turns to me. “Jera, thank you for coming in today. You can come with me.”

We stand. I glance at Dustin. He steps toward her. “Can I read with Jera?”

The woman shakes her head. “I’m sorry, no. Your audition will start in a moment. It’s set up in a different room.”

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