Anna's four-year relationship with her boyfriend, Jeremy, abruptly ends, and Anna is convinced by her best friend Libby to try her luck on a dating app called 'Swiper'. An Anna/Declan story. No relation to the events of the movie Leap Year (2010), just using the characters for an alternate universe story.
NOTE: I will be changing up the POV's in this story and to make it clear when that POV changes, they will be separated by this: ~ISR~?~ISR~ (The person's POV will be the name of that character in place of the ?)
Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to these characters, just borrowing them from the 2010 Movie, "Leap Year". Starring Matthew Goode and Amy Adams.
I Swiped Right
CHAPTER ONE
Anna Brady had expectations for herself and her life. A career that she built from the ground up, and not just a job. A steady relationship that would lead to marriage and two-point-three children. Their home to be at the luxury apartment building 'The Davenport', which she and her boyfriend, Jeremy were in the process of filling out an application for. But all that came crashing down when she was at dinner one night with said long-time boyfriend of almost four years.
"So, I hope you're okay with meeting tonight for dinner, so last minute." Jeremy stated, being cautious of her reaction. "Of course, Jeremy. I love anytime I get to see you." Anna stated politely. "Well, I wanted to talk to you." He began. Anna was under the impression that this was it. This was the night he was finally going to propose. They were seated at a five-star restaurant in a center table. Although the night did not go as planned, and maybe that was Anna's fault. She had to be in control. Know where something was going and when it would happen.
Growing up, things were not as stable for her as they were now. Her father had a habit of spending what little money they had on the next big thing. But of course, it would always fall through and then they were lucky if they had food for the week or a roof over their heads. Hence Anna's control issues. She had a propensity to have to know when, how and why something would happen and planned things down to the last detail. It was not in her nature to do something on a whim.
"Yes, Jeremy?" She urged, waiting with bated breath for the next words out of his mouth. Anna took note of how nervous he looked, and it caused her to become excited. "I think we should break up." He stated plainly.
~ISR~Anna~ISR~
"Libby, you don't understand, we were together almost four years! Four years!" I expelled over the phone. "And here I am, thinking he's going to propose and he breaks up with me!" I exclaim, a trace of tears falling down my cheeks in exasperation. "I'm sorry Anna. I had no idea." Libby replied. I could hear a voice in the background and knew it was Libby's fiancé, Ron calling for her attention. "I should let you go. Thank you for listening." I stated solemnly. "We'll meet for coffee or lunch, call me tomorrow." Libby ended before our call disconnected. 'How could my life go from a clear path to zero in a matter an hour?' I thought to myself. Tamping down my frustrations, I crawled onto my bed and tried to think of how I could possibly plan the next stage of my life.
~ISR~
Declan O'Callaghan liked things simple. He knew what he liked and stated things honestly, expecting the same in return. He was a hard man to break and his friends always tried to get him to be more open, especially when it came to the opposite sex.
Much like Anna Brady, Declan was heartbroken when he learned the girl, he'd proposed to, had decided to leave him for his best friend. That was six years ago. But it left him rigid, untrusting and at times cantankerous. His sense of humour could border on insulting and his friends would tease him that it would take quite the woman to tame the beast. After the turmoil of his failed relationship, he picked up his life and moved from the home he knew in Ireland, all the way to New York City. He wanted a clean break and a fresh start.
Setting down some roots in New York seemed the best idea. The Pub and Restaurant he had owned and ran in Dingle, Ireland, 'Caragh' was sold to the highest bidder. The new owners renamed it and Declan bought a space in New York and re-opened the new 'Caragh Pub and Restaurant'.
~ISR~Declan~ISR~
"What the hell you doin'?" I called in irritation, as I watched one of my new bartenders break a brand-new bottle of top shelf Irish whiskey. "Sorry, Decco." Alec apologized. "It's comin' outta yer pay! Ya hear me?" I started. "Now clean it up!" I finished, running my hands over my face in frustration. 'I really was trying to be nicer but these blasted fools were making it bloody difficult.' I thought to myself. "Be nice." I mumbled to myself. "Alright, Alec, just get it done…please." I added more politely.
The 'Caragh Pub and Restaurant' had been open for ten months and was doing rather well. I had some great regulars that would get me laughing. An honest real laugh as well. I don't really know why I was still being so bitter about the past. So what, Kayleigh and Ryan fell in love. Behind my back of course. But what got me, more than the cheating, was the lies. I didn't trust easily and those that I did, I would trust with my life.
There were a few old-timers that would reminisce about the old days. Talking of their wives before they had passed and the love they shared. I wanted that for myself but didn't know how to get there. When most people come into a bar or pub, they're not looking for a long-term relationship. They're looking for one night. A passion filled night where two strangers use one another to get what they need. I was not one of those types and would refuse any advances from patrons, and especially from any female employees. No blurred lines. No confusion.
Four Months Later
~ISR~Anna~ISR~
Libby was trying to convince me to try the dating scene again but when you meet someone in public and start up a conversation, it's a lot harder to be polite and make an excuse to leave. Especially when they were being too pushy and you didn't want any part of it. This is where I found myself Thursday night.
"Really?" I asked, a little affronted. "You think that we should just leave, together, right now?" I clarified. "Well, why not? Let's live in the moment. We know why we're both here, so let's move past the pleasantries and head to my apartment." The suit suggested. "What was your name again?" I posed, taking a sip from my white wine. "Chad." He replied, smiling an obnoxious toothy smile. "Well, Chad. I will be leaving, thank you." I replied, standing from the stool at the bar. "All right!" He cheered. "Alone." I clarified.
"Never again Libby, it was so horrible!" I complained to her on the phone when I got home. "I'm sorry, Anna, but at least you're getting out there." She comforted. "This guy was just…ughh." I growled in irritation. "Hey!" Libby called excitedly. "What now?" I harrumphed, laying back on my bed, comforted by my pillows at least. "You should get 'Swiper'." She proclaimed. "What is 'Swiper'?" I asked in confusion. "It's one of those dating apps, you know, swipe left for no, right for yes." She clarified. "Swiper…" I mumbled to myself. "Just download the damn app Anna, don't think too hard it." She admonished. "Put it this way, it gives you more control. A screening process." Libby negotiated. "What do I even put in this profile stuff? I always over think it." I complained. "Keep it simple. You want to get their attention but still have things to talk about if you do choose to meet for a drink." She added. "What about the profile photo?" I challenged. "A candid shot. Not too posed, you want to look like you but relaxed." She explained. "Well I don't have photos of me that are not selfies!" I replied. "I do, the ones from my birthday a few months ago." She confirmed. "I'll text you a few and then you create a profile! Promise me Anna!" She ordered. "I promise. I will try it out." I alleviated.
I tossed my phone on the bed beside me contemplating 'Swiper'. The pros and cons lists racking up points on each side. The biggest pull was me being able to control who I get to meet. But at the same time, what they portray behind the screen could be nothing like they actually are. 'Take a chance Anna and just do it.' I encouraged myself. I grabbed my phone and downloaded the app, filling out the appropriate details. 'Smoker?', "No." I spoke aloud as I went through the various questions. When I came to career, it was difficult to describe what I did as a stager, so I put 'interior designer'. Same idea really. I hemmed and hawed over my answers, changing a few. Libby was right, it did give me more control, at least over what I chose to share and how I shared it. My phone pinged with a new message and I opened it to see the photos Libby sent. "This one!" She had texted, below a photo of me at her 38th birthday a few months ago. I was holding a glass of white wine and you could see the side profile of my face. My head was tilted down and smile was on my lips. She was right, the candid shot looked great. It was me, happy in the moment and not fake or posed. You could see the top of the dress I wore and it showed a little cleavage but was still modest. Plus, the red colour of the dress made my natural red hair look stunning. I saved the photo for my main profile picture and added the rest to view, again all from Libby's birthday. After entering all my information, my finger hovered over the 'Get Swiping' button. I took a breath and hit it, and the 'Welcome to Swiper, here's how it works' screen told me how to access Private Messages from users, and how to choose my search radius. I got more cozy in bed, crawling under the comforter and proceeded to swipe.
~ISR~Declan~ISR~
Friday nights were always busy. There were regulars who would pop in after work or the younger crowds looking to try out fake ID's. But we were up with the times and those ID's would get scanned. A lot easier to weed out the fake from the real and it helped us keep a log of patrons. The kitchen always closed by 9:00PM and after that I was usually tending bar for a few hours before closing up shop at midnight, and retiring to my apartment above the bar.
On this particular Friday night, a gentleman walked in the door, shook off his wet coat from the rain, and took a seat at the bar near me. His eyes scanned the crowd before he looked down at his phone and then back up around the bar. "What can I get cha?" I called, trying to get his attention. "Whatever's on tap, thanks." He replied, not even looking my way. "Did you want to start a tab?" I offered. "Ah, not, yet. I'm supposed to be meeting someone, so we'll see how it goes." He smiled. I nodded and proceeded to get him his beer. We didn't do a lot of loud music, but a local radio station would play at the back over the pool tables and there were HD televisions mounted on various walls. Some with sports playing and others with world news.
I filled a few more drink orders and it seems the rain was causing people to want to head home earlier rather than later. Suit guy still sat at the bar, nursing his bloody beer. "So, who ya meetin'?" I cajoled, leaning on the bar. "Oh, I ah. I've been on a few dates, using that dating app, 'Swiper', you heard of it?" He explained. "Meetin' people over a screen then?" I offered. "Yeah, something like that, anyway, this woman here," He began, pulling out his phone and showing me her profile. "She's meetin' you here?" I clarified. "She's beautiful." I added. "Yeah, but she's running late." He admonished. "Well, it's likely the rain, mate, would slow anyone down." I tried to alleviate. "Yeah, true." He mumbled, sipping from his beer. "So why ya meetin' here?" I asked, wiping down the bar next to him and tossing some used glasses into the wash bin. "Well, to be honest man. If it doesn't work out too well, I'd rather not run into her in my regular hang outs, you know?" He stated conspiratorially. "Riggghhht…" I replied in annoyance, dragging out the word. "God, I hope she looks like her pictures." He stated, swiping on his phone. "Let's see then." I urged and he showed me his phone. The girl was beautiful. No posed or fake photos, just her, in the moment. "You can't fake tha' kinda natural beauty, mate." I affirmed. "You can with photoshop." He stated. "Wanker." I mumbled, walking away.
~ISR~Anna~ISR~
My meeting was running late and the damn 'Swiper' notifications were going off all day. I'd come across the profile of one guy that seemed promising. Apparently, it was 'a match' as we'd both swiped right. He was some kind of accountant to rich people, in turn making him well off. That's not what drew me to him, it's what he wrote in his profile. 'Mid 30s male. Looking to find the love of my life. It's been a slow road to find her, so here's to hoping she'll swipe right on me here.' It was simple but came across as honest. At least I hoped he was being honest. The photo he chose seemed a little posed but still attractive. We messaged off and on throughout the work day and he suggested we meet for a drink tonight to see if anything sparked. He said he was six-feet tall, although you can't see that from his profile photo, and that he tended to work long hours. He had blue eyes and dark-blonde hair and his name was 'Steve'. When he suggested we meet at a pub and restaurant called 'Caragh', it threw me at first and I had to call and ask Libby about it.
"It's to cover his ass." She responded assuredly. "What does that mean?" I replied. "It means, in case this meeting doesn't go as planned, like you don't actually look like your photos or something, or, he doesn't look like his, then you don't know his usual hang outs and he can avoid you." She explained. "Well that seems a little rude." I added, a little affronted. "It could also mean he's already married or engaged. Remember what I said?" Libby posed. "I know, check for a tan line on his ring finger." I quoted. "Some of these guys just want a piece on the side, you do have to be aware of that." She explained. "I will keep that in mind, now I have to go, my cab just pulled up." I finished, before disconnecting our call. The cab driver said it was a fifteen-minute drive to the pub, but he knew of it. Great place and good food. I hadn't eaten dinner yet, and was hoping they were still serving. It had started to rain on the drive, and I didn't have an umbrella. I paid the cabbie and stepped out, getting drenched in seconds before running inside the front door of the 'Caragh Pub and Restaurant'. There was a secondary door into the main pub and restaurant but I wanted to try to tidy up quickly.
Shaking myself off from the rain, I tried to push my hair back and felt how wet it was. I probably looked like a drowned rat at this point. 'Great first impression Anna', I scolded myself as I took a breath, steadying myself.
~ISR~
Declan observed the 'suit', as he'd dubbed him, keeping tabs on him. While also watching the door for his elusive date. The guy was pissing him off something awful. He felt bad for the poor woman who was intended to meet him because he not only witnessed him flirting with other women at the bar as they passed by him, but the damn eejit got a phone call from his fiancée. A fact he learned after the phone call. He shook his head but kept watch, hoping he could save the poor woman the trouble. After serving a few more customers he turned towards the door to see the woman in question. The poor thing looked drenched from the rain, and his focus turned to 'suit' one more time to get his reaction. The damned idiot jumped from his stool, a look of disappointment on his face. "Steve?" He heard turning back to the red-head. "Anna, hi, look I'm so sorry I just got a call and have to run, I'm so sorry." The asshole spouted, running past her and out the door. She looked miserable, so Declan decided he needed to step up and help the girl. He reached for a towel, next the sink at the back of the bar in a cupboard below and caught her attention.
~ISR~
Anna couldn't believe the nerve that asshole had. She could tell he was lying through his teeth and the bartender looked at her with what she thought was pity. She was wet, cold and hungry and he couldn't even join her for one drink. Looking about the bar, she saw the bartender waive her over and offer her a towel to dry off. "Thank you." She stated meekly. "You were not missin' much with that asshole, darling. In fact, I think you got lucky by him leavin'." He stated. Anna felt a little taken aback at his comment. "How so?" She queried, moving closer to a seat at the bar. Declan explained what he'd witnessed through 'Steve's' behaviour, and the phone call. She took in the information, letting his words be absorbed. "I ah. I don't suppose you're still serving food? I haven't eaten since 2:00PM this afternoon." She posed.
~ISR~Declan~ISR~
I felt terrible for the poor woman. She was clearly wet from rain, cold and even hungry. She'd asked about the kitchen still being open and figured I could offer her a little something. "Sorry darlin', the kitchen is closed, but I could warm up some stew and give ya a couple dinner rolls?" I offered tentatively. "Would you really?" She asked in surprise. "Sure. Gimme' a few." I replied, looking over to the dining tables to see Colin collecting the dishes from patrons who'd left. "COLIN!" I hollered to get his attention and he jogged over promptly. "Yeah Decco?" He asked. "Watch the bar for me for ten minutes, I gotta make up somethin' quick in the kitchen." Colin agreed and I headed back, warming up some chicken stew on the stove, before realizing I didn't ask if she had any food allergies. I ran back out and came up behind her, scaring the poor thing. "Sorry, darlin', I just wanted to make sure you didn't have any allergies." I stated. My gaze met hers unexpectedly and the blue of her eyes. "Oh, um. No, no allergies. Thank you." She stated politely. "Alright then." I finished.
When the chicken stew was ready, I brought it out on a tray and made sure she saw me coming. She was shivering from cold and I figured she should move away from the door. "Hey, darlin' follow me this away. You're in the cold draft of the door." I explained. She stood from the stool and almost slipped on the floor. Balancing the tray in one hand, my arm moved around her waist instinctually to keep her from falling. "You okay?" I asked, helping get her footing. "Yes, thank you." She replied meekly, her eyes meeting mine. "You have beautiful eyes." She stated out of nowhere. I couldn't help but smile. "Thanks, Love, your blues are just as gorgeous." I affirmed, finally letting her go and leading her over to a booth. Sliding in, I placed the tray on the table and moved the dish in front of her with some butter for the rolls. "It's chicken stew." I stated. "Thank you, again." She smiled. I could tell she was trying to get me to say something when I realized we'd not made introductions. "Oh, sorry. I'm Declan," I announced reaching out a hand to shake hers. "Anna. Nice to meet you Declan and really, thank you so much for doing this." She added. "My pleasure, Anna." I declared, as our hands met in a firm shake. "Would you like something to drink?" I offered. "A glass of chardonnay, please, now that I have food to go with it." She smiled sweetly and I left her to her meal to get her wine. I had a smile on my face for some reason. The cute ginger had captured my attention. The question was, had I captured hers.
~ISR~