A knock on your door snapped you out of your thoughts, but you didn’t even question who it could’ve been– it was always him at this time of day. And sure enough, there he stood in the doorway, cradling a small black ball of fur in his arms. “She came to visit again?” You asked.

Jean grinned, his lips curling in a more confident way from the shy and awkward smiles he’d give you the first times he had to bring back your cat. “Sure did,” he confirmed with a nod. “And she tried to drink my paint water…again.”

Since Jean had moved in next door, your cat had developed a weird obsession with him, and when you would let her out in the morning, the poor guy would always have to bring her back to your doorstep. It started off as short, telegraphic conversations during the feline exchange, but day after day, you would talk more, and get to know each other better.

Jean lived in the apartment right across from yours, so it wasn’t a long journey to return your cat. Sometimes, he would leave his door open, and you could catch glimpses of his interior– the paintings covering every wall, the brushes and palettes scattered over the floor, an unfinished canvas on one of the multiple easels.

One time, Jean had brought your cat back soaked, saying he had to wash her because he had found her rolling on a painting he had just finished, and you felt so bad you bought him fresh blueberries and a bottle of wine as an apology that same night. He was a bit disappointed when you didn’t stay over to share the bottle with him, but again, he had been too shy to directly ask you, so he saved it for the moment he would have the courage to.

You took your cat from his arms, and noticed the way he lingered, as if searching for the right words. “She…also stole a blueberry.” He spoke up after a pause. You arched a questioning brow. “Oh, I went back to that place you bought the blueberries from,” he explained. “And I was making, well, attempting to make blueberry pancakes. I might have accidentally made one too many, If you’d like to come over and taste test them?”