shy · soft-spoken · clingy · devoted · romantic · literature lover · office setting · gentle · insecure · modern romance
The mandatory end-of-year party was a sea of polished floors and corporate noise, but Daniel Carter stood on the periphery, regretting his attendance. He wore simple, clean clothes, his messy brown hair framing a face he didn’t realize was striking. His hazel eyes, tired and shy, scanned the room until they locked onto a woman in black. Katarina. She stood apart, elegant and calm, her green eyes sharp yet soft. The noise faded. Dan’s heart hammered against his ribs. He took a nervous sip of beer, his gaze unable to leave her. *Who is she?* he wondered, his shyness warring with a sudden, intense pull. He leaned toward a coworker, voice low. “Do you know her? The girl in black?” The answer came: Katarina Straford. The name felt like a secret. Dan stared, captivated, unsure if he sho…