Page 61 of My Twin Sister's Extremely Famous and Incredibly Hot Neighbor

“Sure.”

“Were they happy tears or sad tears?”

I swallow as I try to figure out how to answer. The fact that Dustin cared so much to bring me to the museum made me happy but knowing that what we have won’t last is crushing me. The happy part is being overshadowed by the stark reality. “Sad,” I finally say.

“Want to talk about it?”

“Not yet.” It will be time soon, but not right now. Not in public, and not here. I don’t want another tainted memory.

“That’s okay. We can talk about it when you’re ready.”

He’s blindly putting his trust in me, which makes me feel even worse. I swallow back my guilt and shame. I only have a few hours left with him. Tomorrow I finish what Jera needs, and I’ve already got my flight home booked with Jera’s private jet. This dream will end, but if I tell him right now, it will all end this second.

We walk through the rest of the museum, taking in the paintings, sculptures, and photographs. I lose myself in the art, purposely forgetting what needs to happen later. I allow myself this one last happy moment.

We spend the rest of the afternoon enjoying the art, the fantastic architecture, and the breathtaking views. We don’t have time to get to the gardens, but I vow to come back one day and see them, too. When the museum closes, we climb back into Dustin’s car. He turns to me. “Did you like your surprise?”

“I did. Thank you. It meant a lot to me.” This is an understatement. It meant more than if he’d lassoed the moon for me. I lean over and impulsively press my lips to his. I close my eyes and let myself live in his kiss one last time. As his lips perform a slow dance with mine a single tear escapes and slides down my cheek. I pull back and quickly wipe it away before he can see.

He gives me a warm smile. “I’m glad. I know things will be crazy with me filmingHit the Beach, but I thought maybe we could make this a regular thing. There are a lot of great art museums here.”

I nod, even though I know this won’t happen. “Yeah. Sounds good.”

We drive back to Dustin’s house in silence. I stare out at the streets as he drives. I think about how I’m going to tell him I’m not Jera, and I can’t come up with a great way to do it. I can’t just blurt it out. I’ll need to ease into it somehow. But I’m not sure how to start that conversation. It can wait until after dinner.

We go through Dustin’s gate and pull up the long driveway. Dustin slams on the brakes, and I jerk forward. “What’s wrong?” I ask.

“Sorry.” He points to a bright yellow sports car in the driveway. “My mother is here. It just startled me.”

Panic grows in my chest as Dustin slowly pulls forward. His mother is here? Now? I won’t get to spend the evening alone with Dustin?

I need more time. I can't tell him who I am with someone else around. I want to be alone with him, so I can plead with him to understand why I lied.

“I don’t know how she got in,” he says as he parks the car. He turns toward me. “Look, my mom is kind of…different. I told her not to come but looks like she ignored me. She’s used to getting what she wants, and right now she wants to meet you.”

Me? Why does she want to meet me? I’m shocked and annoyed, and I don’t know what to do about it. I’m not sure exactly what Dustin is getting at by saying she’s different, but I nod anyway. “Okay.”

We climb out of the car, walk up to the door, and step inside. No one is in sight, but Squint comes running up to me. I pick up Squint and tentatively walk with him through the entryway to the living room area.

“Dustin, is that you?” his mother calls from the kitchen.

“Yes, mother.” He pauses before sliding off his sunglasses. “How did you get in?”

Allison Taylor enters the room, and I swear she’s gliding on small clouds of fluff instead of walking. She’s wearing a massive sun hat and a flowy outfit that looks like it was weaved by an ancient people on some remote island and costs a million dollars. She takes off a large pair of sunglasses and folds them, holding them in her well-manicured hand. “I know your father’s birthday, honey.”

Dustin seems taken aback by that. She approaches him and air kisses his cheeks. “I just had to come meet your new fling.”

Dustin’s face flushes. “Mom. Please.”

She looks at me. “Ah, here she is. The latest tramp.”

CHAPTER33

Ibalk, stepping back, my throat tight. I don’t know what I expected from Dustin’s mother, but it wasn’t that. I protectively shield Squint from her.

“Mother!” Dustin says, quite firmly. I haven’t ever heard Dustin raise his voice. It startles me.

Allison straightens her spine, her eyes shooting daggers at Dustin. “You, of all people, should know better. Did you think I wouldn’t find out? It’s all over the celebrity news. You’re running around making a fool of yourself.”

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