Sarah wandered through the mall in a haze, her mind miles away. She was lost in thoughts of him---Daniel, the charming barista she saw every morning at her favorite coffee shop. His warm smile, the way he remembered her usual order, and the brief but delightful conversations they shared had her heart fluttering.

Her friends had teased her about her growing infatuation, calling her a lovesick dreamer, but she didn't care. She replayed every moment with him in her mind, her thoughts painting vivid fantasies of what could be.

As she walked past the shops, the noise and bustling crowds faded into the background. She barely noticed the colorful displays in the windows or the aroma of pretzels wafting through the air. All she could think about was the way Daniel's eyes sparkled when he laughed and how he had complimented her on her new scarf yesterday.

Just as she was imagining their next encounter, Sarah turned a corner and---bam!---she collided headfirst into a solid figure. The impact jolted her out of her daydream, and she stumbled backward, her purse slipping from her shoulder and spilling its contents onto the floor.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry!" she stammered, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. She looked up to see a man standing before her. The man wasn't very tall. When Sarah wore her heels, she might even be slightly taller than he was. The man had an apologetic look on his face.

"No, it's my fault entirely," he said, bending down to help her gather her scattered belongings. "I should have been paying more attention."

Sarah shook her head, her embarrassment deepening. "No, really, it was me. I wasn't watching where I was going."

The man smiled kindly as he handed her back her phone and wallet. "Well, maybe we were both a little distracted," he said, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Are you okay?"

Sarah nodded, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "Yeah, I'm fine. Thank you for helping me."

He extended his hand to help her up, and she took it, feeling a spark in the brief touch. "I'm Eddie, by the way," he said, still holding her hand for a moment longer than necessary.

"Sarah," she replied, finally letting go and straightening her clothes. "Nice to meet you, Eddie."

"Nice to meet you too, Sarah," he said. "I hope the rest of your day is less eventful."

She laughed, feeling her earlier embarrassment melting away. "I hope so too. Thanks again, Eddie."