“What is your actual job, Dunc?” Amanda glanced around at the top of the stairs.
“By your standards, it’s not a real job,” Dunc grumbled, opening the door to his room. He threw the shirt onto a nearby dresser and closed the door, not wanting her to see inside.
“Your mother said you are a writer and illustrator? She was a little vague.” Amanda stood outside Dunc’s studio, looking at the door. There was a do not disturb sign hanging from a hook in the middle of the door.
“Yeah. I write. I paint. I do a lot of commission work. I make good money from it, and you can’t beat the hours.” Dunc stood behind Amanda and put one hand on her shoulder. He was trying to push her away from the door and in the direction of the stairs.
“Can I see?” Amanda turned and looked up at him, honestly wanting to see what he did.
“I don’t know.” Dunc winced. He didn’t like telling people what he did because it was a tiny bit embarrassing. He loved his work, but it felt weird explaining it to other people. It was personal to him.
“Please?” Amanda grinned.
“If you promise not to laugh or make fun of me.” Dunc’s blue eyes turned serious. Amanda realized that he was concerned about what she thought.
“I promise I won’t laugh.” Amanda smiled at him. “Do you illustrate comic books? Because that would be great.”
“I wish.” Dunc sighed and reached around her to turn the doorknob. Dunc stepped inside ahead of Amanda and flipped the switch. The room lit up with far more color than Amanda had seen in the entire house. Three walls were a warm golden orange color. The fourth wall was black. Framed prints full of cheery subjects covered the walls. Most of them were dragons or dinosaurs. “You would be amazed at how much money there is in doing children’s books.” He was mumbling again. “Don’t touch my painting. I do both digital and traditional work.” There was an easel set up in the corner of the room over a drop cloth. The other half of the room had an impressive computer setup that would have made Dew jealous. It was near the windows that would line up identically with Amanda’s studio.
“Wow.” This was the last thing Amanda had expected. This explained a lot. “You really like kids, don’t you?”
“They’re easy to please.” Dunc shrugged. “They say what’s on their mind, no matter how ridiculous or embarrassing. Most of them are more honest than adults. It’s easier to talk to kids.”
“Kids can be bullies too.”
“Tell me about it.” Dunc rolled his eyes and turned to leave. “The kids around here are good. I like Halloween because everyone gets to be a kid again, including me. I get to dress up and scare people, and it’s all in fun.”
Amanda followed Dunc out of the studio and back into the hall. “Yeah, that is fun. I haven’t done it in years.”
“I’ll never have any kids, so this is the next best thing.” Dunc headed to the stairs. “That and I never have to change a dirty diaper.” Amanda giggled at his very valid point. Dunc stopped, and Amanda crashed into his back. Dunc stumbled another step down the stairs. He caught the railing to avoid falling the rest of the way. She stood there for a moment wondering why Dunc had stopped so fast. Then he began walking down the steps again to the front door. Someone was knocking on the door.
***
Dunc opened the door to find precisely the kind of man he detested most fouling his doorstep. He was muscular with a square chin, wavy blond hair, and light green eyes. The man wore expensive clothes, and Dunc could see a BMW parked in front of his house. He was smiling, showing off a perfect set of pearly white teeth.
“I was just looking for your neighbor when I saw the lights on in your house. Is Amanda here?” He asked innocently enough. Amanda cringed, for the moment standing unseen behind Dunc.
“Amanda?” Dunc stared at the man.
“Yeah, I’m her boyfriend, Joseph.”
Boyfriend? Of course, Amanda had a good-looking boyfriend. There was no way she didn’t. Why hadn’t he ever seen him before? Dunc stepped aside and invited him inside. “She’s here.” He realized his error the moment he turned to see Amanda come flying from the foot of the stairs. She took a swing at the man and missed.
“You are not my anything!” Amanda took a second swing, which Joseph barely avoided.
“Whoa, whoa! Hold on there!” Joseph backed further onto the porch. “I’m just here to talk! I miss you so much, Sweetie!” Amanda slammed the door closed, and Dunc gave her a baffled look.
“See. Did what was right, and I’m going to pay for it.” Dunc groaned as he could hear the man calling out to Amanda on the other side of the door. He opened the door and stepped out onto the porch, closing it behind him so Amanda would get the hint not to follow. Amanda let him. A closed-door would keep her from ending up in the middle of another lawsuit.
“Amanda doesn’t want to see you. Now, you’re on my property, and I don’t want any drama here. Only friends and family are allowed, and since I don’t know you, you aren’t invited.” Dunc stood in front of the door, calmly talking.
“Oh? Are you her new boyfriend?” Joseph gave Dunc a skeptical look. There was no way that Amanda was with this guy. He was all arms and legs and wasn’t the least bit handsome. He did not compare to Joseph in any way.
“No. I’m not. I’m her friend and neighbor.” Dunc took a step, politely gesturing to Joseph’s car. “Please leave.”
“I need to talk to Amanda.”
“It’s obvious
