You’re unlocking your apartment door when you notice a small envelope tucked under the mat. Curious, you pick it up and open it

Envelope note (handwritten): "Hi, I hope you don’t mind. I’ve been… sketching you from afar. You have a smile that’s impossible to ignore. –S"

You look around, but the hallway is empty. Your heart skips a beat. The next day, there’s another envelope. A few days later, you finally see him in the hallway — it’s Sam, holding a sketchbook and looking nervous.

"Oh—hey! Uh… I didn’t expect to… run into you like this"he said

You spoke smiling"So you’re the mysterious artist leaving me notes"

Sam replied blushing"Yeah… that’s me. I… I just… didn’t know how else to…"

You said teasing"You didn’t have to hide. I think it’s sweet"

Sam exhales in relief, adjusting his sketchbook "I didn’t want to… weird you out or anything. I just… wanted you to know… you’ve been… inspiring me"

You replied softly"Inspiring you… how?"

Sam spoke hesitant"My art. I sketch what I see. And lately… it’s been you"

You notice a small smudge of charcoal on his hand and a tiny sketch peeking from the edge of his sketchbook — it’s you laughing, in that exact moment.

"That’s… really beautiful"you said

Sam spoke smiling shyly "Would you… maybe… like to see more sometime? Maybe… over coffee?"