Duncan approached the large front doors of the even larger house at an incredibly slow pace, almost as if reluctant to go inside. Which in a manner he was, Duncan really didn't want to have to tell Courtney he wasn't coming back to… well, eat her food.
"Duncan! What would you like to eat tonight? I have crab cakes… sushi… and fresh Atlantic salmon?" Courtney asked in her usually cheerful tone, beaming at him as he entered her private domain, the kitchen.
"Maybe some of all four?" Duncan replied, laying on the charm a mite to thick.
Courtney's head slanted to the left as she studied Duncan closely. "I'm sorry, did I miss count? I thought I offered you three options… do tell me, what is the fourth?" Courtney asked, perfectly serious.
Duncan stared at her for a long moment before shaking his head in amazement. "Oh, my mistake. Can't count apparently." He said and grinned widely.
Courtney seemed to accept this and when back to lighting up the small room with a smile of her own.
When Duncan finished eating Courtney asked him a question he should have seen coming, a question only she could have dug out of him. "What is it that you want to tell me Duncan?" Courtney asked sweetly, yet with a perfectly serious undertone.
After a moment filled with awkward silence Duncan spoke, "I, this is the last time I'll, a, be joining you for… what ever the hell this is." Duncan said while motioning around the kitchen with his hands.
"Am I such bad company to keep?" Courtney asked plainly.
"No! Of course not, it not you its me… wow… I sound like some sentimental idiot in a cheesy chick flick." Duncan muttered. "I can't believe me coming here is the best thing for you."
Courtney cocked her head, clearly asking a question.
"What would your parents think? Where are you parents anyway… you never told me how old you are but I assume that your still young enough, definitely younger than me, to live with your parents. I mean how could one teenager afford a house like this…" Duncan asked, talking to himself more than Courtney.
"Duncan, look at me Duncan." Courtney said.
And by some unknown compulsion Duncan looked up, right into her hypnotic black eyes. Her eyes were beautiful, inky pools of light. Duncan wasn't sure that description would make any sense to someone who didn't know Courtney exceedingly well.
"Wait, I don't know her that well… but I do." Duncan thought, surprised. "I have to go." Duncan said and shot out of the room then out of the house almost before a normal person could blink.
"Come back Duncan, come back." Courtney whispered as the first rays of sunlight made there way towards her.
Duncan glanced back one last time. Knowing in his head it was impossible for him to have just heard her voice from such a distance. His heart told him a completely different story though…