love interest

noun3

1. •
   One who is of interest as a (potential) partner in love.

   • Naturally, Fallout also plays to [Tom] Cruise’s waning appeal as a romantic leading man, supplying him with no less than three potential love interests. — 2018
2. •
   A romantic relationship; a romance.
3. •
   A romantic plot or subplot in a film or book.

   • The love interest is supplied by the Colonel's grandson and the daughter of the inventor of a horseless wagon. — 1926