The characters don't have to like each other, but they must be aware of each other. The best romantic storylines create a "magnetic field." Whether through rivalry ( Pride and Prejudice ), convenience ( The Proposal ), or shared trauma ( Stranger Things ), force them into proximity.
As they hiked through the woods, hand in hand, Emily felt a sense of freedom and joy she hadn't experienced in years. Ryan was patient and understanding, and she found herself falling for him, hard.
We experience the highs of a first kiss and the lows of a breakup from a safe distance, helping us process our own feelings.
Some common aspects of relationships and romantic storylines include: