Chapter 1
Chapter One
B rianna stood behind her event table, hip cocked to the left, hands on her hips. She was tired of showing up at these damn things by herself. It made her even more desperate than usual. At least she left that asshole, Sam, behind at home. She’d told him to pack his shit and be out of her apartment before she returned home after the event.
She sat, looking over her stack of books at Daniel May, a fantasy writer she’d met at the last three events she attended. Everything she heard about the guy was good. She’d also heard he had a girlfriend. She glanced at her watch again for the thousandth time since the event started four hours ago. Another hour and it was time to pack up, leave Estes Park, Colorado, and head back to Alabama.
“Brianna,” a man said, and she jumped. “Shit, sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
Damn, he’d been working out since the last time she saw him six weeks ago. And the ink on his arms! “Sorry, Daniel, I was lost in my own head.”
Daniel's lips quirked into a half-smile, his brown eyes crinkling at the corners. "No worries. I've been accused of living in my own head more times than I can count." He ran a hand through his messy dark hair, leaving it even more tousled than before. "How's the event been for you?"
Brianna's gaze lingered on the new tattoos adorning his forearms, intricate designs that seemed to shimmer and move in the dim convention center lighting. She forced her eyes back to his face, hoping he hadn't noticed her staring. "Oh, you know. The usual. Lots of smiling, lots of small talk. My cheeks hurt from fake-grinning all day."
Daniel chuckled a low, warm sound that sent an unexpected shiver down Brianna's spine. "I hear that. Sometimes I think I should write a fantasy novel about an author who gets sucked into a magical realm every time they attend a book signing. Might make these things more bearable."
The scent of his cologne, something woodsy and crisp, like pine needles after a rainstorm, wafted towards her as he leaned against her table. Brianna found herself leaning in slightly, drawn by his presence. "I'd read that in a heartbeat. Sounds more exciting than another evening alone in a hotel room, anyway."
She bit her lip, realizing how that might have sounded. But Daniel just nodded, his expression suddenly serious. "Yeah, I know what you mean. These events can be... lonely." He paused, seeming to choose his following words carefully. "Listen, I was thinking of grabbing a drink at the hotel bar later. Maybe unwind a bit before heading to the cabin. Would you... like to join me?"
Brianna's heart skipped a beat. She thought of Sam, probably still packing his things back in Alabama. She thought of the rumors about Daniel's girlfriend. But looking into his warm brown eyes, she found herself nodding before she could second-guess herself. "You know what? I'd love to."
The hotel bar was cozy, dimly lit, with dark wood and soft leather. Brianna sank into a plush armchair across from Daniel, grateful to be off her feet after the long day. The bartender approached, and Daniel ordered a whiskey neat. Brianna hesitated, then decided to match his choice.
"I didn't take you for a whiskey drinker," Daniel said, raising an eyebrow.
Brianna shrugged, a small smile playing on her lips. "There's a lot you don't know about me, Mr. May."
The drinks arrived, and Brianna took a sip, relishing the burn as it slid down her throat. She watched Daniel over the rim of her glass, noticing how the warm light caught the flecks of gold in his eyes.
"So," she said, setting her glass down. "New tattoos?"
Daniel glanced down at his arms as if he'd forgotten they were there. "Ah, yeah. Got them a few weeks ago. They're, uh, inspired by some of the magical symbols in my latest book."
Brianna leaned forward, genuinely intrigued. "May I?" she asked, reaching out.
Daniel nodded, extending his arm across the small table between them. Brianna's fingers traced the intricate lines, marveling at how they seemed to shimmer and move under her touch. The contact sent a jolt of electricity through her, and she could have sworn she felt Daniel's pulse quicken beneath her fingertips.
"They're beautiful," she murmured, reluctantly withdrawing her hand. "Your girlfriend must love them."
Daniel's expression shifted, a flicker of something – pain? regret? – crossing his face. "Actually, we... we broke up. About a month ago."
"Oh," Brianna said softly. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry."
Daniel shook his head, taking a long sip of his whiskey. "No, it's okay. It was... it was for the best. We wanted different things, I guess."
A heavy silence fell between them, filled with unspoken possibilities. Brianna thought about Sam back home, of the loneliness that had driven her to this moment. She looked up to find Daniel watching her intently, his gaze heavy with something that made her breath catch in her throat.
"What about you?" he asked, his voice low. "Anyone waiting for you back home?"
Brianna swallowed hard, her fingers tightening around her glass. "Not anymore," she admitted. "I ended things with my boyfriend before I left for this trip."
Daniel nodded slowly, his eyes never leaving hers. "So we're both... unattached."
Brianna felt herself leaning forward, drawn in by the intensity of Daniel's gaze. "It seems we are," Brianna replied, her voice barely above a whisper. She moistened her lips, noticing how Daniel's eyes followed the movement.
“I’ve read some of your work.” Daniel leaned back, enjoying Brianna’s surprise. “It’s quite good.” He nodded innocently, eyes squinting as he considered his next words. “We should write together.”
The suggestion hung in the air between them. Brianna felt a flush creep up her neck, her mind racing with the implications of Daniel's words. Writing together could mean so many things. "Oh?" she managed, her voice slightly breathless. "What did you have in mind?"
Daniel's eyes darkened, and he leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a low murmur. "I was thinking... a collaboration. Your romance, my fantasy. Imagine the worlds we could create together."
How he said "together" sent a shiver down Brianna's spine. She took another sip of whiskey, savoring the burn as she considered his proposal. The idea was intoxicating—or maybe that was just the alcohol and Daniel's proximity. "That could be... interesting," she replied, matching his tone. "But how would we manage it? You live up here in your mountain retreat, and I'm down in Alabama."
Daniel's lips quirked into a half-smile that made Brianna's heart skip a beat. "Well," he said, leaning in even closer, "I happen to have a spare room in that mountain retreat. If you're interested in a... writing retreat of your own."
Brianna knew she should be cautious and should think this through. But the whiskey was warming her blood, and Daniel's eyes pulled her in like gravity. "A writing retreat," she repeated, testing the words on her tongue. The idea was both thrilling and terrifying. Brianna's fingers traced the condensation on her glass, her mind racing. "That's quite an offer, Daniel. But we hardly know each other."
Daniel's eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled. "Isn't that the point? To get to know each other better? As writers, as... collaborators. Besides, we’ve talked at these events before."
Brianna felt a flush creep up her neck. "And what exactly would this collaboration entail?" she asked, her voice low.
Daniel leaned in closer, close enough that Brianna could feel the warmth of his breath on her cheek. "Whatever we want it to," he murmured. "We could start with character development, work our way up to... world-building."
The double entendre wasn't lost on Brianna. She bit her lip, considering. The responsible part of her brain was screaming caution, but the whiskey and the heat in Daniel's gaze drowned it out. "And your cabin," she said slowly. "It's... secluded?"
Daniel nodded, his eyes never leaving hers. "Very. Just the mountains, the trees, and us. No distractions."
Brianna's heart raced. She thought of her empty apartment back in Alabama, of Sam's things packed and gone. Of the loneliness that had been gnawing at her for months. She took a deep breath, decision made.
"Alright," Brianna said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Let's do it. A writing retreat."
Daniel's eyes lit up, a slow smile spreading across his face. "Really?"
Brianna nodded, feeling reckless and alive. “When?”
Daniel shrugged. “In two weeks, after the Vegas event. You come up here instead of going home. We’ll spend a weekend working through things and see what happens between us—with our writing.”
They clinked glasses, talked, and laughed the rest of the night before parting ways at midnight, both looking forward to the opportunity.
Over the next two weeks, before meeting in Vegas, the two communicated through emails and video calls, discussing story ideas, characters, and world-building. They agreed on the hero and heroine. Brianna would write as the female character, Daniel as the male character. The world was set in a dystopian future. Brianna’s main character, Sasha Sandoval, a princess who was restricted to never leaving her father’s castle, sneaks out one night and explores the massive village around her father’s kingdom. While traversing the dark streets, the eighteen-year-old Sasha is cornered by three men in an alley.
Daniel’s hero, Carson Shaw, a twenty-year-old farrier to whom everyone in the village took their horses, has dreams of grandeur. He dreams of the day he can rescue his love at first sight from a lion, tiger, or bear.
“So, you want this to be love at first sight?” Brianna asked and adjusted her laptop’s camera. She’d been in too many relationships to believe in love at first sight. Because she didn’t believe in it, she never wrote about it.
Daniel shrugged. “He comes down the alley and sees her being harassed. He saves her, looks into her eyes, and the rest is history.” Not because that’s what his character wanted but because that’s what he wanted. That’s how he felt about Brianna, going all the way back to last year when he spoke to her at an event in New York.
“What happens after he saves her?” Brianna asks again.
“He lifts her onto his white horse, and off they go to live happily ever after.” Daniel smiled. This was the world he enjoyed. It was the world he wanted to live in.
Brianna nodded, not in agreement but understanding of what Daniel wanted. She wanted the hero and heroine to be given more conflict and more obstacles. She wanted Sasha and Carson to have disagreements, maybe a breakup or an extended separation before eventually coming back together when all seemed lost. “Daniel,” she said, taking a deep breath. “Maybe we each write an outline of what we think should happen from beginning to end.”
Daniel's smile faltered slightly, but he nodded. "Sure, that's probably a good idea. We can compare notes and find a middle ground."
Brianna felt a twinge of guilt at the disappointment in his eyes, but she pressed on. "Great. We can review them when we meet in Vegas next week."
The video call ended, leaving Brianna staring at her reflection on the darkened screen. She sighed, running a hand through her hair. The excitement of their upcoming collaboration was tinged with a hint of apprehension. Their differing views on romance were becoming more apparent, and she wondered if they could truly find a balance between his idealism and her more pragmatic approach.
The week flew by in a flurry of packing and last-minute preparations. Before she knew it, Brianna stepped off the plane in Las Vegas, the dry heat hitting her like a wall as she exited the airport. Her heart raced as she scanned the crowd, finally spotting Daniel waiting near the baggage claim. He looked even better than she remembered, his messy dark hair tousled by the desert wind, his brown eyes lighting up as they met hers. Brianna felt a flutter in her stomach as she approached, suddenly aware of how her sundress clung to her curves.
"Hey, you made it," Daniel said, pulling her into a warm hug. The woodsy, intoxicating scent of his cologne enveloped her.
"Wouldn't miss it," Brianna replied, her voice slightly breathless as she pulled away from the embrace. "How was your flight?"
"Not bad," Daniel said, grabbing her suitcase from the carousel. "Though I have to admit, I was a bit distracted. Couldn't stop thinking about our project."
"Me too," she admitted. "I finished my outline last night. You?"
Daniel nodded, guiding her towards the exit. "Just wrapped it up on the plane. I'm curious to see how they compare."
The ride to the hotel was filled with easy conversation, punctuated by moments of charged silence. Brianna found herself hyper-aware of Daniel's presence beside her in the back of the taxi, the heat of his thigh barely brushing against hers.
As they checked into their rooms—adjoining, as luck would have it—Brianna felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. This weekend would determine not just the direction of their story but potentially the course of their relationship.
"Dinner in an hour?" Daniel suggested as they reached their doors. "We can go over our outlines."
Brianna nodded, her mouth suddenly dry. "Sounds perfect."
An hour later, freshly showered and changed, Brianna knocked on the door connecting their rooms. Daniel opened it, looking devastatingly handsome in a crisp button-down and dark jeans. His eyes widened slightly as he took in her form-fitting black dress, his gaze lingering momentarily before meeting her eyes.
"You look... wow," he said, a hint of color rising to his cheeks.
Brianna felt a rush of warmth at his reaction. "Thanks," she replied, smoothing her hands over the silky fabric. "You clean up pretty well yourself."
They made their way down to the hotel restaurant, a sleek, dimly lit space with views of the glittering Vegas strip. As they settled into a cozy booth, Brianna couldn't help but notice how the soft lighting accentuated the planes of Daniel's face, casting intriguing shadows. After ordering drinks and appetizers, they pulled out their outlines. Brianna's heart raced as she unfolded her papers, suddenly nervous about sharing her vision.
"So," Daniel said, his voice low and intimate in the hushed restaurant. "Shall we compare notes?"
Brianna nodded, taking a steadying breath. "You first," she said, gesturing to his outline.
Daniel explained his vision for their story—a sweeping, romantic tale of love at first sight, filled with grand gestures and happily ever afters. His eyes lit up with passion as he spoke, his hands gesturing animatedly. Brianna found herself captivated by his enthusiasm, even as she noted the differences between their approaches.
When he finished, Daniel looked at her expectantly. "What do you think?"
Brianna took a sip of her wine, gathering her thoughts. "It's beautiful, Daniel. Your passion really comes through." She paused, choosing her words carefully. "But I wonder if we might be missing an opportunity for deeper character development."
She slid her outline across the table, her fingers brushing his as he took it. "In my version, Sasha and Carson face more obstacles. They struggle, grow, and even spend time apart before finding their way back together."
Daniel's brow furrowed as he read, his expression unreadable. Brianna held her breath, suddenly aware of how much his opinion mattered to her.
"It's... different," Daniel said slowly, looking up at her. "But I can see the potential. The conflict would certainly make their eventual reunion more powerful."
But Brianna could see he disagreed with her approach even as he said the words. She let Daniel continue his reading of her outline and as he did, a frown crossed his face. “What’s wrong?" Brianna leaned forward.
“You have them walking away from each other for an entire year,” Daniel said. He laid Brianna’s outline on the table and shrugged. “I know story should be more like real life, but just once couldn’t we have a utopian world where boy meets girl and everything is hunky dory?”
“Most of my stories are like this,” Brianna said. “I don’t really believe love at first sight is realistic. It just doesn’t happen in real life.”
“Would you like to order?” the waitress asked as she joined them. As she went over the day's specials, Brianna noticed Daniel looking away, his face full of disappointment. As Brianna ordered, Daniel watched her, heartbroken for her because she’d never experienced love at first sight. He understood then that they lived in two different realities. He was always hopeful. She had obviously been disappointed by one too many men.
Brianna cleared her throat when the waitress left, sipping water before shifting her eyes to Daniel’s. “The co-writing thing is pretty difficult,” she said. “Maybe we should wait on it.”
Daniel nodded. “Probably for the best.”
They struggled through small talk for the next fifteen minutes, both thankful when the waitress arrived with their food. They ate mostly in silence, occasionally suggesting the food was outstanding and occasionally discussing the crowd expected at the event in the morning. When they were done eating, Daniel paid the bill.
They sat at the table for a long time, slowly sipping water, clearing throats, and waiting for each other to stand. “Well,” Daniel finally said.
“Yeah, I need to catch up on some writing.” Brianna stood. “Thank you for dinner, Daniel.”
Daniel followed Brianna from the restaurant and then to the elevator, where Brianna got on, and Daniel left for the lobby. He regretted not saying goodnight. That had been a dick move despite their disagreement about story. Fuck, he thought to himself. He walked into the casino and sat at a Blackjack table, losing a hundred bucks before getting pissed off at himself and going back to his room. Lying in bed, he thought about how vain writers could be. How stubborn they could be. In that instant, he gave up on love at first sight.
The next morning, Brianna got up early, dragged her books down to the convention center, and set up her table. When she finished, she noticed Daniel, two rows over, setting up his own table. She never saw him look her way, instead giving his attention to another writer at the table beside him. The idea of a co-writer had taken off and then burned in the air.
Despite the crowd around him, Daniel spent the next four hours of the event watching Brianna. Fuck, there had to be a midway point somewhere they could agree. He believed in love at first sight because he’d experienced it with Brianna. It was okay she didn’t feel the same. Life had a way of jading people. Despite that, he believed they could meet halfway.
At the end of the event, Daniel heard a slap-slap sound and then a yipe as everyone was dismantling their table setups. When he turned, he saw Brianna on the floor, surrounded by her books and banner, which had furled unexpectedly.
“Fuck,” Daniel said and darted around tables. He kneeled next to Brianna. “Damn, are you okay?”
Brianna caught the glint in Daniel’s eyes and let a smile cross her lips. Then, in front of everyone surrounding them, she began laughing. Daniel glanced at the others, who still looked on in shock, and then back at Brianna, laughing with her. He put his hands in Brianna’s and helped her up, the two finding each other’s arms around the other.
“The hero coming to the heroine's rescue,” Brianna said.
Daniel smiled. “Because of sight at first sight.”
Brianna blushed.
"Brianna," Daniel said softly, leaning in while the other writers watched. "I'm sorry if I seemed dismissive of your ideas. It's just... I guess I've always believed in the power of instant connections. The kind that hit you like lightning and change everything."
Brianna felt her heart skip a beat at his words, at the way his eyes seemed to be searching hers for something. She took a shaky breath. "I used to believe in that too," she admitted. "But life has a way of... complicating things."
Daniel reached out, his fingers brushing her cheek. The touch sent a jolt of electricity through her. "Maybe," he said, his voice low and intimate, "we've both been looking at this the wrong way. What if we combined our approaches? The instant attraction, the spark... but with the depth and growth you're proposing?"
Brianna found herself leaning in, drawn by Daniel's warmth and the possibilities in his words. "That could work," she said softly, " a balance between fantasy and reality."
"Exactly," Daniel smiled, his fingers now intertwining with hers. "Like us, maybe. The fantasy author and the romance novelist, finding a middle ground."
Brianna felt a flutter in her chest at his words. She looked up into Daniel's warm brown eyes, seeing the sincerity there. She felt a spark of hope for the first time in a long while. "I'd like that," she said softly. "Finding a middle ground." She tilted her head a bit, a glint in her eyes. “When Sasha sees Carson racing down the alley toward her, I think she can find something special about him. What does Carson do and say?”
Daniel's eyes lit up as he caught Brianna's meaning. He pulled her closer, their bodies just inches apart amidst the bustle of the convention center.
"Well," he said, his voice low and husky, "Carson races down the alley, his heart pounding. He sees Sasha cornered by those thugs, and something inside him just... ignites. He doesn't hesitate. He charges in, fists flying."
Brianna nodded, caught up in the moment. "And Sasha," she continued, "she's terrified, but when she sees this stranger coming to her rescue, she feels this... this rush. Like maybe the world isn't as dark as she thought."
"Exactly," Daniel murmured. His hand came up to cup Brianna's cheek. "Carson dispatches the thugs, then turns to Sasha. Their eyes meet, and it's like time stops. He reaches out a hand to help her up, and when their fingers touch..."
"Sparks," Brianna breathed.
"Sparks," Daniel agreed. His thumb traced her cheekbone gently. "But that's just the beginning. Because after that initial rush..."
"They have to get to know each other," Brianna finished. "To see if that spark can grow into something real."
Daniel nodded, his eyes never leaving hers. "It won't always be easy. There will be misunderstandings, arguments..."
"Obstacles to overcome," Brianna finished softly. Her heart was racing, acutely aware of Daniel's proximity and the intensity of his gaze.
"But they'll face them together," Daniel murmured. "Learning, growing, falling deeper in love with each passing day."
Brianna felt herself leaning in, drawn by an irresistible pull. "It sounds perfect," she whispered.
"It could be," Daniel replied, his voice barely audible.
Time seemed to slow as Daniel closed the final distance between them, his lips meeting hers in a soft, tender kiss. Brianna's eyes fluttered closed as she melted into the embrace, her arms winding around his neck. The kiss deepened, filled with promise and possibility.
When they finally parted, both slightly breathless, Brianna opened her eyes to find Daniel looking at her with a mix of wonder and adoration.
"So," he said, a smile playing on his lips. "About that writing retreat..."
Brianna laughed, feeling lighter than she had in years. "I think we might have some revising to do on our outlines."
Daniel grinned, pulling her close again. "I can't wait to start collaborating."
As they stood there, wrapped in each other's arms amidst the bustle of the convention center, Brianna felt a surge of hope. Maybe, just maybe, they could write their own love story—one that balanced fantasy and reality, passion and growth, instant connection and deeper understanding.
As they pulled apart, flushed and smiling, they became aware of the small crowd that had gathered around them, watching their embrace with curiosity and amusement. Brianna felt her cheeks grow even warmer, but Daniel just chuckled and gave a little bow to their impromptu audience.
"Sorry, folks," he said with a grin. "Just doing some hands-on research for our next book."
The onlookers laughed and began to disperse, many offering congratulations or knowing smiles as they passed. Brianna buried her face in Daniel's chest, both mortified and exhilarated.
"Oh my god," she mumbled against his shirt. "I can't believe we just did that in front of everyone."
Daniel's chest rumbled with laughter as he stroked her hair. "Hey, at least we gave them something to discuss besides book sales and publishing contracts. I’m sure Facebook will be a dumpster fire once rumors swirl and people cancel other people."
Brianna looked up at him, unable to contain her own laughter. "I suppose you're right. Though I'm unsure how I will face anyone at breakfast tomorrow."
"We could always skip breakfast," Daniel suggested, his eyes twinkling mischievously. "Start our writing retreat a little early."
Brianna felt a thrill run through her at the suggestion. "Are you sure? What about your panel tomorrow?"
Daniel shrugged. "I think I can reschedule," he added.