Chapter 1 The Day We Met
The Love He Was Afraid to Keep
Chapter 1 — The Day We Met
Daniel never believed in love at first sight.
Until he met Emma.
It was a cold afternoon when they first crossed paths in a small bookstore.
Emma was standing on a ladder, trying to reach a book from the top shelf. She stretched as far as she could, but the book remained just out of reach.
Daniel walked over.
“Need some help?”
Emma looked down.
“I’ve got it.”
“You’ve been trying for five minutes.”
She smiled.
“Were you watching me?”
“Maybe.”
She laughed.
Daniel reached up and took the book down.
“Here.”
Emma looked at the cover.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
That should have been the end of their conversation.
But it wasn’t.
They met again the next day.
Then again.
Soon, the bookstore became their favorite place.
They talked about everything—movies, music, dreams, childhood memories, and the kind of future they wanted.
Daniel loved the way Emma laughed.
Emma loved the way Daniel listened.
One evening, they walked through the city under a sky full of stars.
Emma looked at him.
“Why do you always look at me like that?”
“Like what?”
“Like you’re trying to memorize my face.”
Daniel smiled.
“Maybe I am.”
She laughed.
“You’re strange.”
“Only around you.”
Emma looked away, hiding her smile.
Neither of them knew that this simple conversation would become one of Daniel’s most precious memories.
Because Daniel had already discovered something.
He was falling in love.
And he was falling fast.
