Page 40 of My Twin Sister's Extremely Famous and Incredibly Hot Neighbor

“I’m a shoo-in for this part. In fact, I practically have it in the bag. They just want to see me do a reading.”

My legs wobble like rubber. “I can’t do an audition for you! You’re crazy.”

Jera sniffs. “Please? I can’t go like this. The bruising has gotten worse, not better. If I go they’re never going to cast me. I look like I’ve been involved in a mugging!”

“Can’t you put makeup on?”

“Not over this, it’s too dark. Mackenzie, I swear, they won’t make you do much. It’s just one quick scene. You can practice before you go. You don’t have to be there until two in the afternoon.”

I gasp. “Today?!” She can’t be serious.

“Yes, but you have all morning to get ready.”

“Do I have to memorize the lines?” I clench my fists. This can’t be happening to me.

“Yes. But it’s not much.”

“What is it for?” I take in a calming breath. Why do I want to know?

“It’s a show calledHit the Beach.”

My mouth drops. That’s the one Dustin is auditioning for. The thought of Dustin brings me instant calm. If he’s going, I could just go with him. Maybe it wouldn’t be that bad.

“How many lines exactly?”

“Not many. I’ll send them over as soon as we’re done on the phone. Mackenzie, you’re a lifesaver. Truly.”

I’m not a lifesaver. I’m a sucker, and I can’t believe I’m going to say yes. “All right, I’ll do it. But you owe me big time.”

“Yes! I’ll do whatever you want. That bigger apartment is yours.”

Tempting. Maybe after all this work she’s putting me through I won’t feel bad taking it. “We’ll see.”

“You’re my favorite sister.”

“I’m your only sister.”

“You’re smart, too.”

I stick out my tongue at her, even though she can’t see me. “I think you owe me a sister’s only vacation. Just the two of us. We can go somewhere remote.”

Jera is silent for a moment. “You’d go with me on a trip?”

“Sure. As long as there are no big crowds there. You know I don’t like crowds.”

“You don’t like travel, either.”

I look down at the rug. “I’d do it to spend time with you.”

Jera exhales. “Wow, Mackenzie. I had no idea.”

She sounds so surprised I’m taken aback. “Of course. I love you, and I miss spending time with you.”

“You do?”

I’m shocked she has to ask. Have I been that distant with her? Maybe the reason we’re not close anymore is as much my fault as it is hers. “Absolutely. Remember all of those checker tournaments we’d have?”

She laughs. “And how you cheated terribly so you’d always win.”

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