A romantic storyline is the what (they meet, they argue, they kiss). But a real relationship on the page is the why (they challenge each other, they feel safe together, they change).

If you removed the romance entirely, would these two characters still find each other interesting?

Stop. Fate is a lazy substitute for actual connection. In real life, chemistry happens in the gaps—in the way someone listens, in the inside jokes, in the shared annoyance about the same awful coffee shop.

If you want readers to fall in love with your love story, you have to stop writing at the romance and start writing through the relationship. Here is how. "I can’t stop thinking about them." "We keep running into each other." "It must be destiny."

Would they still want to grab a coffee? Would they still respect each other’s work? Would they still be friends?