My Twin Sister’s Extremely Famous and Incredibly Hot Neighbor

I exit 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?”

Dustin grins at me. “Yeah. I couldn’t help it. This guy is just too cute.”

“Where did you even get it?”

“Amazon. Next-day shipping.”

He tugs on the bone, and Squint growls and pretends to be a big, scary dog, which is always hilarious coming from a Chihuahua. Dustin yanks away the toy and holds it up as Squint jumps for it. Dustin laughs. “Your dog is a hoot.”

I clench my jaw as I try not to let this adorable sight affect me. Dustin could very well be a liar. I need to remember that. He could be using me. The thought tastes like acid.

“Sorry, something’s come up. I have to go,” I say, my heart in my throat.

He jumps up and dusts off his jeans. “Oh?”

“Sorry,” I say again, clicking my tongue to get Squint to run to me. I pick him up and take a step toward the door.

“Wait.” Dustin grabs his phone. “Now that your phone is working, can I send you my number?”

He stares at me, his hair a bit mussed from him being on the floor playing with my dog and something inside me softens. Everything I know about him goes against what Jera told me. How can I believe Jera?

I hesitate. His blue eyes pierce through me. He looks so sincere. A part of me can’t believe he’s underhanded. He would have slipped up at some point over the last few days, right? I would have seen him make a mistake. I’m having a difficult time connecting the dots. How can I reconcile the man before me with the man Jera says he is?

I waffle back and forth until he gives me a strange look. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” I say.

Dustin holds out his phone like he wants to transfer his number to my cell, but I back away. “My phone is too old to do that.”

“Oh. Right.” He swipes across his screen. “What’s your number? I’ll just put it in.”

It would be too awkward if I said no. Then I’d have to explain myself. I’m so confused, so I just rattle off my number and scramble out of the door with my dog.

I need time alone to think.

I’m in Jera’s living room, curled up on her amazingly comfortable couch, sipping an after dinner herbal tea, Squint beside me. I cup my hands around the mug, enjoying the warmth, even though my chest is still hollow.

I reach into my pocket and pull out a small doggie treat. Squint quickly eats it. My phone alerts me I have a text.

I lift it to see what Jera wants. Only, it’s not from Jera.

How are you doing? Is everything okay? You rushed out and I didn’t have a chance to ask what you’re doing for dinner. Did you eat already?

I stare at Dustin’s text, Jera’s accusations running through my head. I tried to sort things out tonight, away from Dustin, but I still don’t know what to think.

I stir my tea as I ponder how I want to answer him. Get out of my life sounds way too harsh. Not answering won’t work either. Finally, I set down my tea and type an answer.

I already ate.

There. That’s the truth, and it gets me out of seeing him because I’m sure he’s about to invite me over to eat some amazing meal. My mouth waters. I can only imagine what he’s cooked up. Jera made me eat kale and legumes for dinner. Barf.

Dustin sends me a sad face.

That sad face burrows deep in my soul. I set my phone back down and stare at my painting on the wall as I sip more of my tea. Chamomile. I like the slightly bitter taste. I need to get my mind off Dustin, or I’ll go crazy. My phone gives me another alert. I should turn off my ringer and go do something else, but I can’t help it. I pick it up again and read the text.

Do you want to watch another movie with me?

My heart leaps at the suggestion. Yes. I want to. I want to go over there right now and see his laugh lines and hear his chuckle when he thinks I’ve said something funny. I want to feel his arms around me and his lips on mine. But he could be a lying scumbag, and I promised Jera I wouldn’t.

Sorry, I’m not feeling well. I think I’d better stay in tonight.

He responds right away.

Oh, no. Is there anything I can do?

I bite my lower lip as guilt creeps into my chest. But is he being nice because he’s a good guy? Or because he wants something?

No, I think it’s just a little bug, I type back. Hopefully I’ll feel better soon.

I hope so, too. Are you sick to your stomach? Or does chicken noodle soup sound good?

Chicken noodle soup sounds amazing, but Jera doesn’t want me eating noodles. I stare at the phone. Jera’s sure bossy. And she’s not here. How will she even know if I eat noodles?

My stomach lets out a growl. I guess the kale and legume salad I got from Door Dash didn’t do much to fill me up. Stupid diet. I make a rash decision.

Actually, chicken noodle soup sounds good.

I’ll make you some and bring it over.

My heart warms at his words. Even if he is a lying sack of trash, I’ll take his chicken noodle soup and enjoy every drop.