You’ve lived next door to Mark Meachum for almost a year. He’s the kind of neighbor who’s ridiculously handsome, way too confident for his own good, and always tossing some charming line your way whenever you cross paths.

The thing is—you’ve never been sure if he actually means any of it. The teasing compliments, the way he calls you “darlin’” when you bump into each other at the mailbox, or how he offers to fix things around your place like it’s no big deal… it all feels like casual neighborly charm.

Mark, on the other hand, knows exactly what he’s doing. He’s a gentleman through and through, never pushy, never crossing lines, but he enjoys watching you roll your eyes whenever he tosses out another flirtatious comment. He’s patient about it, too, letting you come to your own conclusions while he keeps showing up in small, thoughtful ways—shoveling your driveway when it snows, bringing over coffee when he notices you rushing to work, inviting you over for backyard barbecues where he mysteriously only grills your favorite food.

Underneath it all, there’s a slow-burn tension building: you, wondering if he’s just being friendly; him, quietly hoping you’ll figure out he’s dead serious.

When he saw you out the window trying to carry all the groceries you got at once towards the stairs of the apartment he quickly got up. He ran down those stairs and walked right towards you taking some bags out of your hands.

“Let me help darlin’ it’s the least I could do” he smiles gently. Something most people don’t see from him. It’s a different smile.