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 ?)

BIG THANKS TO SHAWNA FOR LISTENING TO MY IDEAS AND HELPING ME SORT THEM! You have a shout out in this chapter! ;)

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 TEN

~ISR~

Anna and Declan finally left the hospital after saying goodbye to Libby and Ron, and even Catherine. Thanking her for supplying the evidence. Without her, they might not have been able to stop Jeremy.

Even though Anna was hurt by Jeremy when he split with her, and finding out later it was because he was seeing Catherine, she ended up being the key to his downfall. She might have moved on, but that didn't mean she didn't have trust issues of her own at this point.

Declan held her hand firmly in his as he helped her into the cab. They directed the driver to their neighbourhood, and were dropped off at the local market. Wanting to pick up a few things for dinner, Declan grabbed a basket and headed to the produce section.

"I'm going to get some wine, so I'm going next door to the liquor store, did you want anything?" She offered, noticing a woman eyeing them as she picked through different peppers.

"I would love some Guinness, Love. But I'll just grab it here. Meet me back here when yer done?" He smiled, kissing her sweetly before she left.

Declan hemmed and hawed over what to make, when he decided that steak and baked potatoes, with a caprese salad would be simple and easy to make. After grabbing what he'd need for the salad and potatoes from produce, he moved to the Deli section and the cheese counter where he grabbed some bocconcini. Each time he moved to go to another section in the store, it seemed like he kept bumping into the same woman. He'd politely apologize, and move on, not giving her any mind. But it was starting to make him feel weird. Now in the meat section, he perused the pre-packed steak and didn't find anything he really liked, so he went up to the meat display where he found what he was looking for. Rib-eye. He picked out two nice cuts, and the butcher handed them over. He also got a bit of fresh bacon for the potato toppings.

The woman he'd been running into stopped him. "Excuse me, don't I know you from somewhere?" She posed.

"I don't think so." Declan replied, but she did seem familiar.

"Ohh! I know, you work at the Caragh. Did I say that right?" She queried with a small laugh.

"Ahh, yeah that's me. I own it, actually." He confirmed.

"Right, of course. Sorry, I've been in a few times with my girlfriends and we love the food." She praised.

"Thank you. Depends on when you come in, though. I'm only one of the chefs." He clarified.

"Usually lunch time, for food anyway and after work drinks in the evenings, once in a while." She added, eyeing him up and down

"Then, I've been the chef cooking yer lunch." He laughed. The woman laughed as well, her hand on his forearm.

"Sorry you seem to know what cut is best," She began, pointing to the meat counter. "Do you mind if I pick, your brain?" She added flirtatiously. Declan seemed to be oblivious to the fact that she was flirting and agreed to help if he could, he figured he had a few moments to wait for Anna anyway.

"I'm having a few girlfriends over and I've never cooked steak, usually my dad or brother does it, so what's the simplest cut to work with?" She questioned in a simpering manner, a hopeful look on her face. "There must be something even I couldn't screw up!" She laughed out loud, touching is forearm once again in a more intimate manner than necessary. Declan laughed out loud as well, throwing his head back.

~ISR~Anna~ISR~

Walking out of the liquor store, I headed back next door and went in search of Declan. Looking down each aisle, I spotted his tall frame near the meat counter and headed down. Suddenly, I saw some woman put her hand on his arm as she said something. Declan replied and then he threw his head back in laughter at her retort.

"Hey, darlin', you get what you wanted?" He posed as I approached.

He greeted me with a kiss as I took in his basket contents trying to see what we were having. "I did, thank you. What are we having?" I posed, running my hand through the hair at the back of his head when he pulled away from our kiss.

"Rib-eye, baked potatoes, and caprese salad. Good?" He smiled, and he leaned down to kiss me one more time. I felt like I was putting on a show, trying to stake my claim. The woman hadn't moved, and out of the corner of my eye, I could feel her looking at me.

"I'm sorry, I'm Anna, you are?" I politely addressed.

"Aimee. Nice to meet you." She replied, as I held out my hand for a shake. Aimee seemed annoyed at my presence. But I chose to ignore it for now.

Aimee turned to Declan. "And I'm," He began, but Aimee interrupted. "Declan, I know." She finished shaking his proffered hand.

"Aimee here, is a patron at the pub. Comes in for lunch once in a while." He smiled. I couldn't help the tense feeling that over took me. Her familiarity with him bothered me, and I couldn't exactly say why.

"Oh, that's nice. Hope you do enjoy it! He's an amazing chef." I declared. "Did you still need to get your beer, Dec?" I posed, as he slipped his hand in mine.

"Yes, got a few more things to get, darlin', we should go." He stated. "Nice to see ya." He offered, leaving Aimee standing at the counter, while he led me away.

My mind was a mess at the moment. I couldn't get Declan smiling and laughing with her out of my head. 'He's not Jeremy', I scolded myself as unfounded fears made themselves known.

I kept up a smile as we finished grabbing our groceries and Declan's beer before checking out at the register. Declan carried the two bags, and the six-pack of beer in both hands, while I just worried about my wine as we walked the block back up to the apartment building.

"Anna?" Declan called as I weaved my way through the boxes to the kitchen.

"Coming!" I called, finding a path that he'd made by moving the bookshelf to the side more.

"Yer Dad's on the phone, Love." He posed; not even aware I was having a hard time forgetting about Aimee.

"I should talk to him." I confessed as he handed me his iPhone. I pouted up at him and he laughed gently, kissing my pout.

"Take yer time. I'll throw everything together and the potatoes will take a bit anyway." He explained. I smiled in reply as I headed to the bedroom to get comfy on the bed.

Knowing my dad, this could take a while.

~ISR~

Jack Brady knew he owed Anna some explanations so when he heard her voice come down the line, the first thing he thought of to say was that he was 'sorry'. Seems like he's been saying that a lot when it comes to Anna these days.

"I want to know why Jeremy was giving you an allowance dad." She demanded and he knew she had a right to know.

She heard him take a deep breath before he dived in. "A business deal I was a part of was solid, until one of the investors pulled out. So, I lost out, once again, because I trusted the wrong person." He began.

"Why do you always try to go big, dad, you've always done this and it never pans out." She admonished.

Jack explained that the investor that pulled out knew Jeremy, and he was the one to tell him not to trust Jack. So, he contacted him to find out why he was screwing him over.

"Jeremy is the reason you lost out?" Anna called in disbelief.

"Yes. When I confronted him, he said he would help me out in my time of need, if I did something for him." He explained.

"When was this, what did you have to do, and how much money did he give you?" Anna scolded as Declan walked in with a glass of wine for Anna. He set it on the night-stand and took in her upset features.

"Are ya okay?" He whispered, crawling onto the bed behind her. She turned into his arms, as he held her. She nodded yes to his question before turning her attention back to her dad.

"Dad, Declan is here, so I'm putting you on speaker." She explained.

Jack told them that Jeremy wanted information on Anna, so when he showed up at the Caragh, he was doing his bidding. It's the only thing he did and Jeremy gave him five-thousand for it before he told him off and said he wasn't giving him 'shit' on his daughter. Especially after Anna and Declan had clarified the truth for him. Jeremy had given him cash, so he couldn't exactly sue because there was no record of him sending Jack the money. He cut his losses and then kept trying to sway him with offers of more money. Money that would just appear in his bank account. He refused Jeremy each time, but he continued to try to buy him. Thinking he could convince Anna that Jeremy is who she should be with.

"I'm sorry, Anna banana." He crooned, using the nickname from her childhood. "I didn't tell him anything." He added.

"I believe you dad, and I know you meant well. But you're going to have to prove yourself now." Anna replied, looking to Declan. Jack agreed and said he would do anything she asked.

"Jack?" Declan called.

"Yes?"

"I have a job offer for you, but there will be restrictions and expectations." He explained.

Declan offered Jack a job at the pub, but it was more about helping with the renovations to the bedrooms for the B&B. He set down rules about listening to Anna, she would be in charge. They were both surprised at his enthusiasm and thanks.

"It's honest work and there's meals and a beer or two in it for ya at the end of each day." Declan tacked on and Anna kissed his cheek at this.

"If all goes well during the renovations, dad, we're willing to consider you for the position of caretaker for the B&B when it officially opens." Anna explained.

"Why are you helping me?" He asked in wonderment.

"Because you're my dad. I love you." She stated. "Besides, you only have me." Anna smiled. Declan leaned over and kissed her cheek.

"I love you, Anna banana." He replied and she laughed at the nickname. "When do I start?" He added. "I need to make plans for a new place, I've been staying in a motel, keeping my things in storage." He explained.

"Dad! Why didn't you say anything? You could have stayed with me and Declan." She chided.

After Anna and Declan answered Jack's questions, they agreed that he would come in next Wednesday, as Anna had appointments on Monday and Tuesday, and they would go over the work. Declan also offered jack the use of the apartment over the bar, which he readily accepted. But he was going to be installing a door with a deadbolt on it at the bottom of the stairs. It's not that he distrusted Jack that much, that he'd steal from the pub or anything. But it was something he was going to do anyway, once the B&B was up and running and there was a caretaker living there. If there were tenants overnight, he wanted to keep them out of the pub when it was closed.

~ISR~Declan~ISR~

Anna seemed a little upset with the news her father had to share, as it pertained to the weasel. Which she had every right to be. Seems no matter what, the weasel tried to buy everyone. It was now dealt with, so it was time to move on.

"Dinner should be ready soon." I announced. "Twenty minutes maybe, just have to throw the steaks on and cook the bacon." I stated plainly as she sat up on the bed and took a sip from her wine.

"Thank you for this." She smiled, sipping her wine once more. "I'm going to grab a quick shower then; do you just want to eat in the living room tonight?" She posed, climbing off the bed. "I think the table has boxes on it." She explained, pulling her jeans off, followed by her top.

"Sounds good, Love." I replied kissing her cheek.

After a quiet dinner, Anna seemed a little withdrawn as we cuddled on the couch. We'd agreed on some psychological thriller movie and I had poured a Guinness for myself and another glass of Chardonnay for Anna when I approached and saw her looking off.

"Anna?" I called quietly, sitting back down beside her and handing her, her glass of wine.

"Hmmmm?" She mumbled, looking over at me, a small smile on her lips, in thanks for the wine.

"Are ya alright, darlin'? You look a little sad." I posed, wrapping my arm around her shoulders and tugging her closer to me for a cuddle.

"It's just been such a long day, what with the move, the hospital, confronting Jeremy. I'm just really, really tired." She whined.

"Why don't you go crawl into bed then, Love. I'll clean up. We can sleep in a little tomorrow and do some unpacking." I suggested.

"You're not coming with me?" She pouted adorably.

"I will, after the movie." I smiled, kissing her sweetly.

"Okay. Wake me when you do, please." She wheedled. She liked to cuddle up now and make a point of laying half on top of me. I did ask her to be my very own 'Anna blanket' after all, and I really loved it.

"I will. I love ya, sweetheart." I added with a kiss.

"Love you." She replied, brushing her hand through my hair before she downed her wine, leaving the glass on the kitchen counter.

That Sunday, we unpacked quite a few boxes and arranged the bookcases in the spare room accordingly. As well as, swapping out her bed for my king and re-setting hers up in the guest room. Thankfully my headboard matched her bedroom decor.

Come Monday morning, we both awoke around 7:00AM and Anna prepared for work, while I made some breakfast. Every time I did, she'd insist I didn't have to, and I'd remind her that it wasn't because I had to but because I wanted to.

"I love that you cook for me." She smiled, as she walked into the kitchen. She was wearing a dark green skirt that came just past her knees and hugged her curves, with a mustard colour shirt and a peach coloured sweater. It was topped off with a pair of her heels, in a rich green velvet material that matched her skirt. Her hair was curled lightly and she was the complete embodiment of my sexy teacher fantasy.

"Damn, Anna." I growled at her.

"What?" She called in anxiousness as she saw my face then looked to what she was wearing. "What's wrong?" She prodded.

"You look like a wet dream, come to life." I smiled, rounding the corner of the kitchen island, still only in pajama pants. I pulled her into my arms, and fastened my lips to hers in a heated kiss.

"We don't have time, and trust me I want to," She panted, as she kissed me again before replying one more time. "But I have a new client, a possible new client, I should say, and I have to meet the realtor for the firm I work for." She whined, as I went to step back. But she pulled me back for another kiss and my hands moved to her ass, pulling her flush against me.

"Later then. Can I, escort you to work?" I offered, as I led her to a bar stool to sit and eat her breakfast.

"Really?" She sounded surprised.

"I'd love to see how you work; you're not meeting the owners of the property are you?" I posed, as I sat next to her and at my own breakfast. I didn't want to impose of course.

"I'd love that." She smiled.

I'd finished before her, and rinsed my plate setting it in the dishwasher before downing the rest of my coffee.

"I'll grab a shower then, should be ready to go in twenty minutes, is that okay?" I queried, wrapping my arms around her waist from behind. She leaned back into me as she turned her head and kissed my jaw.

"Yes, perfect."

We rode in the cab in relative silence, our hands clasped. Fifteen minutes later we were only about two blocks away from the Caragh, and Anna was to look at a condo with a realtor from the firm she works with, for her new project.

"Have you worked with this realtor before?" I questioned, as I helped her from the cab.

"Greg? Yes. He's a flirt, so please just ignore his comments!" She stated.

"He flirts with ya?" I postured.

"He flirts with everyone, Declan. It's more annoying that anything." She retaliated.

"Whatever you say, Bob." I challenged, giving her a wink.

"You're not jealous, are you?" She pushed.

"No, I know I have no reason to be, but ya know how I feel about people who disrespect ya, and our relationship." I reasoned.

"I do know. So, I'm sorry now if he says something inappropriate." She confessed.

I ground my teeth, just waiting for the eejit to put his foot in his mouth.

"I'll be polite," I promised, holding my hands up in an 'I surrender' motion. "But I can't promise I won't say something if he acts an ass."

"Declan." She laughed, as we rode up in the elevator after signing in with the front desk.

I walked behind Anna, watching her walk down the hall. The view was spectacular as her hips swayed from side to side, and I licked my lips as my eyes moved down over her ass to her calves. She stopped and turned abruptly, catching me.

"What are you doing?" She smiled teasingly.

"Just appreciating what's mine, Love." I crooned, leaning in and kissing her neck. The door in front of us opened, the face of the bloke looked shocked.

"Anna?" He questioned.

"Greg, hi, sorry! I'm not late, am I?" She posed, as he moved aside to allow her to enter.

"No, of course not. Please come in, beautiful." I gritted my teeth. 'I know she's beautiful. She's mine after all', I thought to myself following after her. I could feel his eyes on the back of my head as I passed by him.

"It's a lovely space!" Anna announced in delight, and I couldn't help but smile at how adorable she was in her element.

"It's also large, so people are viewing it, but no one's biting." He called, passing by me and right to Anna.

"Well I can fix that." She smiled, looking to me and reaching out a hand. I walked over and took her hand in mine.

"So, who's this then?" Greg finally asked, a smug little look on his face.

"Oh, sorry mate. I'm Declan, Anna's fiancé. Just wanted to see what she does for work." I politely introduced, holding out my hand in a gesture of greeting.

"Oh! Wow, fiancé, that's great. Congratulations, beautiful." He stated, moving to hug her. Anna kept her hand firmly in mine as he did so. I could tell she wasn't pleased with his affections but I felt like if she didn't just let him, she wouldn't be working on this condo.

She pushed him off her. "Greg, while I appreciate your kindness, I don't really like how you are so physically affectionate toward me." She announced, sounding shy and quiet as she said so.

"Oh, you know me. I'm like that with everyone." He teased, reaching out and rubbing her shoulder.

"Tha' may be so, but she's just asking for you to not do it with her, mate." I clarified for him.

"Right. Well. Thanks for coming to look at the condo, I'll let you know." He stated and Anna looked upset.

"What do you mean, you'll let me know?" She replied in annoyance.

"If I'll hire you." The shit stated, a smug grin on his face.

Unbeknownst to myself or Greg, Anna had apparently taken the initiative to meet with Greg's boss, Shawna, and spoke to her about his flirtatious behaviour and how she wanted to make sure if she confronted him about his behaviour, she wasn't going to lose out on a job because of it. Shawna was receptive apparently, because Anna pulled a contract out of her purse and presented it to him. "What you don't understand Greg, is I've already been hired. Shawna signed off on it, so you don't actually have a say. But thank you for thinking of me." She finished, handing him a copy of the contract. Greg was clearly upset and walked off, leaving us in the living room.

I did try really hard but I laughed like a loon, throwing my head back and Greg looked like he wanted to break my neck, as he glared from the kitchen. I leaned over and kissed Anna.

"God, I love ya. That was brilliant." I whispered, as she cuddled into me.

"Just covering my bases."

"Is that why ya said not to worry about anything he might say?" I whispered back, so he wouldn't hear. She nodded.

"You know, I can take care of myself." She smarted.

"I know you can, darlin'. Just don't hate me for wanting to defend ya." I cooed, cupping her cheeks.

"I'm done here, I need to make plans for what to bring in." She said to me before turning to Greg. "Greg, I'll have some things in this afternoon for the living room and the downstairs office over there." She announced, pointed off the kitchen and down the hallway. "Tomorrow things will be brought in for the bedrooms upstairs. Now it's the master and two smaller rooms yes?" She clarified.

"Yes, and a guest bath down here as well." He added.

"We don't need to worry about the bathroom. It's the living spaces. Now, when is the open house?" She queried.

"Thursday." He replied in annoyance. It was pretty clear he liked Anna, and I can't begrudge him that, but he touched her without her consent and that did bother me.

"Right, well, take this." She called, pulling out a log of ready to bake cookie dough from her purse. I laughed again, at her adorable resourcefulness.

"Put it in the fridge and a half hour before the open house, put it in the oven and you'll have three offers by noon." She finished, grabbing my hand and leading me out of the apartment.

"You were spectacular." I complimented, my arm going around her waist and my hand reaching down to cup her ass as she swayed in front of me.

After leaving the condo, Anna joined me at the Caragh where I set her up in my office so she could make her orders and calls to her suppliers, before I met up with Alec at the bar.

"Hey, Alec, how did things go on Saturday night?" I posed, wiping down the bar and checking the beer stock for the day.

"It was steady and crazy, busy. But we do need a new server." He offered.

"Right, I forgot. After firing Kira, I hadn't even thought of it. I should put a sign in the front window, aye?" I suggested. He nodded in agreement and I went to the back storeroom and pulled out the old ones I'd used when I first opened. They were bright red and white with a space to write what the position was for. I grabbed a sharpie marker and wrote in 'server' and placed it in the front window.

When I was done, I went back behind the bar and continued the usual inventory tasks before I would head into the kitchen to prep for the lunch crowd.

"Hey stranger!" I heard, and I looked up to see Aimee. I smiled politely.

"Hey, you hear alone?" I asked in surprise.

"I am. After seeing you the other night, I thought I should come in for lunch today. But I saw the sign in your window, are you still hiring?" She posed.

~ISR~Anna~ISR~

I finished all my calls and set up the deliveries for this afternoon and tomorrow and knew I'd have to arrange them myself if they were to be done right. At least I could have lunch with Declan first before I went back to the condo. Collecting all my work information, I put everything back in my work tote and left it next to the door, before heading out to the bar. I stopped in my tracks when I saw Declan, smiling wide and hugging Aimee. I didn't want to jump to conclusions but I didn't trust her. Besides, I didn't see any of her so-called girlfriends with her.

"Anna!" Declan called when he saw me. I smiled wide and walked up to him.

"Hey. Hi Aimee," I greeted. "Here for lunch, are you?" I posed, moving behind the bar to wrap my arm around Declan's waist. He leaned down to kiss me sweetly, like he always does.

"Yes. After running into Declan here on Saturday, I thought I should come by for lunch. I didn't expect I'd also get a job!" She teased and my head swiveled to his.

"Really?" I mumbled.

"Aimee is going to be our new server. After Kira, I hadn't even thought of it, but she has experience and provided references, so, we'll see how it goes." He offered.

I didn't want to act the jealous girlfriend role but Declan clearly didn't see that she was interested in him. I loved that he was so kind to most, as long as they didn't wrong him or someone he loves, but this woman was really pulling the wool over his eyes.

"So, I heard from Alec last time I was here, you live upstairs is that right?" She flirted.

"I used to. I live with my fiancé now. Right, Love?" He smiled, kissing my cheek. I nodded in reply, kissing him back firmly.

"Really. Well, congrats. I should get some lunch; I'm technically not working in the office up the block anymore. But it was a temp position, and ends today. So thankfully, I've got something to look forward to now." She winked, walking off to a table as Alec handed her a menu.

I waited for Aimee to be gone beore turning back to Declan. "Can I hang out with you in the kitchen for a bit, have lunch before I have to go back to the condo?" I posed.

"Of course, Love. You'll wear an apron though, just to protect yer clothes, aye?" He smiled, his hand grabbing at my ass again.

"I think I'll have to wear this pencil skirt more often; you really do like it." I giggled as I hopped away from him towards the kitchen as he gave chase, reaching for my ass along the way.