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 TWO
~ISR~Anna~ISR~
Libby and I were at my new apartment, she was helping me paint this weekend and the topics up for dissection, I mean discussion, were 'Swiper' and Declan.
Trying to process my feelings seemed confusing. I know I felt a spark between me and Declan but for all I know, it was one sided and he was just being nice. I did look for him before leaving the pub, but was told he had to step out to handle something, so I left. Although, now I'm wondering if I should have waited.
"Anna, just go back to the pub, see him." Libby tried to convince.
"And make an ass out of myself if it was one sided? I'd have better luck speaking fluent cow." I complained.
"Really? Give yourself some credit. You're gorgeous Anna." Libby complimented.
"You're just saying that because you're my best friend." I replied.
"No, it's the truth. And you're not a vain person, stuck on your looks. You don't need a ton of make-up to look gorgeous, you just are."
I shook my head in mild disbelief. I feel like my self-esteem plummeted immensely after my relationship with Jeremy ended and finding my footing and confidence was hard. "Clearly it wasn't good enough for Jeremy." I whined.
"Stop. You are better than him, and it's his loss. But to be fair, I did find something out about Jeremy from Ron." Libby confessed.
Her retort grabbed my attention. "What do you mean?" I urged.
"I don't know for sure and I wasn't going to ask Ron for details. I mean he wasn't going to tell me at first." She began.
"Tell you what?" I pressed, putting down the paint roller to get her full attention.
"Ron said that Jeremy was seeing someone when he broke things off with you." She admitted.
I felt shook at this news. "You said you didn't know for sure, what did you mean?" I added. "
It wasn't clear, but Ron said he wasn't sure if they were sleeping together or not, or if it was just emotional feelings between them." She clarified.
"So, it wasn't something I did or didn't do, he had feelings for someone else?" I thought out loud.
"From what Ron says, Jeremy regrets it. Wants to talk to you." She added.
I couldn't stop the laugh that erupted from me. "Seriously? He thinks he can just dump me, and then what exactly, try to start things up with me again?" I stated in disbelief. "
I just thought you should know the details and I feel bad, I don't want to put Ron in the middle either. But he's friends with Jeremy and you're my best friend." Libby comforted.
"Does Ron know you're telling me this?" I prodded.
"It was his idea. He doesn't agree with how Jeremy ended things with you and why. His possible philandering has caused a few fights between them."
Libby's confession rattled me but at the same time, the idea of getting back together with Jeremy just did not appeal to me. I had one person on my mind and that was Declan.
~ISR~Declan~ISR~
Bobby, one of our old-timers and regulars at the Caragh had a few too many that Friday night. I had to step out to deal with it. Dealing with it meant literally carrying the old bugger home. He lived only two blocks up, but at least we knew he got home safely. I did regret it for one reason. When I got back to the Caragh, I discovered that Anna had left, and I didn't even get her number. Her walking out of my pub felt like she had walked out of my life and now I was taking it out on everyone around me. It took six years but I had a reaction to her and now she was just gone.
"Alec!" I hollered.
"What do ya need Decco?" he replied, while unloading the fresh produce in the kitchen.
"What eejit did this to my chicken? Bloody idiots, the lot of ya." I replied.
"I think Kira did. She said she wanted to help."
"Well she ruined six whole chickens! What the fuck is she doing in here anyway, she's not a cook." I yelled in reply.
"I get it Decco, but you know she has a thing for you." Alec added.
"What the hell you mean, 'she has a thing'?" I posed in confusion.
"She likes you, like wants to date you." He clarified.
"Fuck me. Not going to happen. But what the fuck does that have to do with touching my chickens?" I added in anger.
Alec just shrugged his shoulders as I headed out to the main restaurant. I gathered our servers, one of which was Kira, into the office for a meeting.
"Hey, Dec!" She called flirtatiously.
"Meeting in the office, we need to go over some boundaries." I clarified.
In total we had four servers, three people who worked the bar, not including myself and I was the only chef. We were in the process of hiring a second so we could keep the kitchen open later than 9:00PM. I proceeded to lay down the law. If you're not a chef or kitchen worker, stay away. I also made a point of stating that sexual harassment will not be tolerated. Hopefully Kira gets the hint. If someone doesn't want someone else's attentions, then steer clear or you won't have a job. After the meeting, everyone got back to their duties, as we were opening in twenty minutes. Although it was clear that Kira was not on the same page as I was. She took my comment about sexual harassment completely asshat backwards. Meaning she thought that her little crush on me would be returned.
"Were you not just in the same meeting as everyone else?" I shouted, backing away from her.
"Of course, I was. I just wanted you to know that affections are returned." She flirted.
"Stop it Kira! I don't have any 'affections' for you. This is what I was talking about." I retorted angrily, running my hands over my face.
"But…" She began.
"No, buts. Please just do your job." I finished, walking away.
~ISR~
Alec understood why Declan was being so short with people. He saw how he'd admired that red-head from the night before and resolved to help him find her.
"Declan." He called as they set up the bar. Prepping it for the afternoon and evening.
"What." He replied shortly.
"That guy that was at the bar last night, the one the red-head was supposed to be meeting?" Alec started.
"The wanker? What about him?"
"Wasn't he and that woman meeting because of some dating app?" He posed.
"Shit! That's it." Declan declared excitedly.
"What, what's it?" Alec prodded. Hoping Declan got his hint.
"The fucking dating app, Swiper, that's how I can find her." He stated with elation.
Alec smiled to himself, pleased that he'd helped, even if in some miniscule way.
Twenty minutes away, Libby and Anna were finishing up the paint job in her new living room.
"You know, after the day we've had, we could use a drink." Libby suggested.
"I agree, I don't have anything though." Anna replied.
"So, let's go get one, how about that pub." Libby teased.
Anna shook her head. "I don't know, Libby. What if…"
"What if what, Anna? Aren't you the least bit curious to see if there was something between you two?"
"Of course, but at the same time…" She trailed off.
"You fear rejection more?"
"Yes." Anna cried.
"Isn't knowing though, better than not knowing? I mean Anna, seriously, he could be thinking the same thing."
"You didn't see him Libby, he's absolutely gorgeous, so handsome, and tall! And that smile of his." Anna crooned.
"Well now I want to. We can go to the pub, under the guise of getting a few drinks after a long day of painting. I'll be there to bail you out if needed, and I can use Ron as an excuse to leave you if things do go well."
Anna finally agreed and Libby left to go home and shower and change before they headed to the Caragh Pub and Restaurant.
~ISR~Anna~ISR~
Libby had the right idea. A nice hot shower, and change of clothes. Although, what to wear was another issue weighing heavily on my mind. I didn't want to seem like I was trying too hard, but at the same time, I wanted his attention. I was steeling myself, trying to prepare for seeing Declan. It was only 4:00PM, and I wanted to wait until after the dinner rush before we went to the pub. I'd finally decided to keep it simple and wear some dark-wash jeans and a blouse. Settling back on my bed, leaning against the headboard, I pulled out my phone to check if I'd had any messages. Just as I was about to open the 'Swiper' app, my phone buzzed with a new message from Libby.
'You should get the paid subscription on Swiper'. Her message read.
'Why?'
'You can search people in more specific areas, direct message without having matched and see who's viewed/swiped right on you.' She explained
'What do I need that for?'
'What if your pub man is on there. Find him that way and swipe, it would be so cute if you did.'
'That seems stalkerish on my part. I know where he works.'
'True, but, what if he's already found you and swiped right. You wouldn't know unless you matched. Pay for it, and find out.' She reasoned.
'I'll think about it.'
Libby could be convincing and I knew she was only trying to help. The bigger issue for me was if there was no sign of him on the app, then I'd just feel rejected in some way.
'DO IT'. Another message came through.
'On my way back over, Anna. PLS just do it.' She coerced.
'Fine. Let me do it then. Door is unlocked'.
I maneuvered through the settings until I came to 'subscriptions' and agreed to the terms to gain more access to the app features. It took a few minutes to do the read through to find out how to view something but suddenly there was a new tab with a section where people had swiped right on me. Scrolling through the list, I passed 'Steve', he was an idiot. Just as I was ready to close the app, a new notification popped up with someone who'd just swiped right on my profile. I clicked the notification and a profile appeared. It was him. I sat there in shock for a few moments before jumping off the bed and doing a stupid, crazy, happy dance. Of course, Libby had to walk in right at that moment.
"What are you doing?" She stated plainly.
"He literally just swiped right on my profile!" I called in excitement.
"Anna?"
"What?"
"Swipe, right on his!" She ordered.
"Of course!" I added, fiddling with my phone until his profile appeared.
"Can I see what he looks like?" She pushed, coming to sit on the side of my bed. I pulled up his profil and showed her his photos.
"Damn, Anna. He's gorgeous."
"I know."
"But he did swipe right, so he's interested. Swipe back on him, then he can message you." She pointed out.
I went back to the main page of his profile and swiped right.
"Maybe I'll just go have dinner with Ron tonight, you might be busy after all." Libby teased.
~ISR~Declan~ISR~
I was not good with apps. Figuring out how to set a certain search radius for this bloody thing was driving me nuts, and I finally went to Alec for help.
"I can't figure this blasted thing out; can you please show me how it works?" I asked, trying to be polite, even though I was getting irritated once again.
"What do you need?"
"This app, I can't set a certain search radius." I complained, showing him the settings.
"That's because you're using the free version. Get the subscription, pay for it and you'll have more options." Alec explained.
Following his directions, I did the paid subscription and narrowed down the search radius. After fine tuning it only took me about twenty left swipes until she was right there. Her face on display in the profile photo 'Steve' had shown me. Without thinking too hard about it, I swiped right and held my breath, hoping she would do the same.
"What are you doing?" Kira interrupted.
"He's trying to message this girl he likes." Alec laughed.
I just looked at him to keep his mouth shut.
"Who?" Kira added, a hint of jealousy in her tone.
"It's none of your business actually." I clarified, walking back to the kitchen to prep for the dinner rush.
By the time 7:00PM rolled around the major rush from dinner had settled and I could take a bit of a break. I headed to the main bar and pulled out my phone. Alec set a Guinness down in front of me, and I nodded in thanks.
"Any reply from her?" He posed.
"I'm checking now." I replied, pulling up the app.
I had notifications and they were all from people who'd swiped right on me. Clicking the new tab, it showed I had a match. Anna had swiped right. I couldn't stop the smile on my face even if I'd wanted to. Clicking the little chat bubble, I sent her a message.
'There you are.'
I could see the three dots, indicating someone was typing.
'What are you doing on Swiper? Didn't my disaster of a date make you afraid?' She replied.
'I missed you last night. I had to step out and when I came back you were gone.'
'So, you joined Swiper to find me?'
'Yes. Only had to swipe left about twenty times until I found you.'
I waited again as she typed.
'My friend and I were going to come by for dinner and drinks, but if you're not working, maybe we can have dinner instead.' She asked. I'd never wanted to not work but I was the only chef.
'I am working, at least until 9:00PM, when the kitchen closes. But we could do a late dinner, if you want. I'd really like to see you.' I added.
'My friend, Libby is going to meet her fiancé for dinner, so we'll come by for drinks, and I'll stay to have dinner with you.'
'Good. I'll be in the kitchen, so get Alec to tell me when you're here. He's working the bar.' I informed.
'See you soon, handsome.' I couldn't help but smile at that.
'Looking forward to it, darling.'
~ISR~
Anna and Libby were giggling like school girls and Libby was just elated to see her friend so happy.
"I've missed seeing you like this, Anna." She stated.
"Seeing me like what?"
"Happy, excited about a new man. One who clearly likes you."
"I can't believe he joined Swiper just to find me."
"Which means he felt something last night too. This is good, really good." Libby finished.
"I'm excited and I have that pitter-patter of my heart when I think about him." Anna declared.
"When I went home earlier to shower and change, Jeremy was hanging out with Ron. He wants your new address." Libby confessed.
"Why?"
"I don't know, but I want to know if it's okay to give it to him."
"I don't care, to be honest. I don't' want to rekindle anything with him." I clarified.
"I told him that actually."
"What did he say?"
"He seemed like he didn't care. So just be aware, he could pop up at your door for some unknown reason."
"Great. Anyway, should we head out to the pub?"
"Yes please!"
Anna and Libby caught a cab to the pub, and Libby had plans to meet Ron for 9:00PM for their own late dinner.
~ISR~Anna~ISR~
"Libby, I'm nervous." I admitted.
"About what? Anna, he wants to see you just as much as you want to see him."
"I know, but I'm nervous about how to greet him, I mean do I shake his hand or hug him or what?" I replied awkwardly.
"Right. Well, wait to see how you first see him."
"What does that mean?" I replied in confusion.
"Well you said he was working, so he could be behind a bar, so a handshake might be better but he could come out from behind said bar, inviting a hug."
"When did this get so complicated." I added, shaking my head as the driver pulled up in front of the Caragh Pub and Restaurant.
"Take a breath. You'll be fine." Libby encouraged.
Steeling myself, we paid the cab driver and headed inside the pub. The smells from the kitchen were intoxicating. We were stopped by a server.
"Did you guys want a table? We're full up right now, so you'll have to sit at the bar for the time being." She informed.
"That's okay, the bar is fine. Thank you." Libby replied.
"I'm Kira, please don't hesitate to ask for anything if you need it." She added, walking off with a tray of drinks.
Libby and I headed to the bar and I recognized the barman from the other night. I was pretty sure this was 'Alec'.
"You're Alec, yes?" I called over the noise.
"Yes, Declan's working in the kitchen, but told me to tell him when you got here. What was your name again?" He stated, offering a hand to shake.
"Anna, this is my friend Libby." I introduced.
"Gimme a moment, I'll let him know you're here." He offered.
Taking a seat, my eyes followed Alec as he headed to the kitchen. I could see Declan through the window where the food is placed when ready to be served to patrons. Alec approached and within seconds, his head whipped up to look out the window and when he saw me, the smile on his face was priceless. I smiled and waved in return.
"He's yummy, Anna!" Libby called from beside me.
"I know." I replied.
"And he's headed this way." Libby informed. I could feel my heart rate pick up.
"Anna," he greeted, his hand at the small of my back.
"Hi, it's so good to see you." I exclaimed and without thought, stood to hug him. It just felt right.
His arms came around me, returning my greeting and I felt him hold on tightly before we both pulled away. Albeit reluctantly on my part.
"This is my friend, Libby." I introduced.
"Hi Libby, nice to meet you." He stated, offering his hand to shake.
"So, you're working in the kitchen until 9:00PM?" Libby queried.
"Well, when you own the place, you wear a few hats. I'm the only chef at the moment, and we're looking to hire another, so we can keep the kitchen open later." He explained.
"Wait you own this place! I had no idea." I exclaimed in surprise.
"I do, which makes it harder to just take the day off."
"I love the atmosphere, it's a great space." Libby offered.
"Thank you. Listen, order some drinks, they're on the house. I'll be out as soon as I can, I have about, forty-five minutes left." He offered.
We nodded in understanding as Alec retook his position behind the bar, and Declan headed back to the kitchen.
"We haven't eaten, so don't drink too fast!" I warned Libby.
"Should we order an appy at least? Something to share?" Libby suggested.
"I think we should, yes. Alec!" I called.
Alec provided us with a menu and we ordered some deep-fried zucchini sticks and a side of fries. After putting in our order, Alec refilled our drinks before letting us know there was a booth available if we wanted it. Nodding in agreement, the server from before led us to the booth and served us our new drinks.
"What do you want to happen tonight, Anna, if anything?" Libby asked.
"Honestly, just real conversation over dinner, and maybe a kiss or two…or ten." I giggled.
"Well I have to get going in about twenty minutes, so we'll snack on the appies when they get here and then I need to take off."
"Thank you, Libby. For pushing me."
"I know you like structure and planning Anna, but when it comes to Declan, you don't seem to mind. You've been sort of just going with it. And it's working for you so keep doing that."
We were interrupted when Declan himself delivered our fries and zucchini sticks. He crouched down beside the side of the booth I was sitting on.
"Hi," He smiled.
"Hi, thank you for the appy's." I replied.
"I'm cooking something for our dinner, but I just wanted to know if you wanted to eat down here in the restaurant, or upstairs in my apartment?"
I felt my breath catch at the idea of being alone with him in his apartment.
~ISR~