Tinder is not the answer #2
As they had made clear in no uncertain terms, they wanted at least two children, preferably as soon as possible – and they wanted him to be the kids’ biological father, though he would take on the role of an uncle with them.
Seriously?! How could they be surprised that their ludicrous plan did not land well with him?
Naturally, even today’s family council with his parents and other two sisters supporting the idea hadn’t been able to change his mind.
Aye, he wanted to be a parent, but with a woman he loved and who loved him and who wanted to raise their child together.
If it had been up to him, he and Glenna would have had children years ago.
She had been the one to play for time. What an irony that suddenly she was so keen on his body!
Although, she didn’t want his body but just his sperm – extracted and injected under lab conditions.
Kendrick felt like a blood vessel in his temple was about to burst by the time the waitress returned with his beer and food.
The sustenance made him feel a little better, and the chilled beer helped him relax.
Once his anger had subsided, he was left feeling both bewildered and horny, a rather unsettling mix.
A psychologist would have a field day with him right now!
But he preferred to keep it simple: his bodily urges were mere biology.
He hadn’t had sex with another person for ages, and that would do it. All normal.
His eyes fell on his mobile. Only this morning, he had finally given in and downloaded Tinder, even if he was not thrilled that these days dating required an app.
When he had last been single – more than a decade ago – people had just flirted with others they met in person, but apparently this real-life model of finding someone was outdated.
And good riddance, too, when he thought of Hailey’s approach yesterday.
Well, it was high time he arrived in the modern world of dating!
Having finished his meal, Kendrick opened the app and completed his profile.
He had uploaded a few photos earlier, along with some lame sentences about himself.
He was sure he could do better, but that could wait for another day.
Tonight, he had no interest in charming any potential match; the only thing he cared for was physical attraction.
He reduced the distance radius for matches and waited for the results.
Surprisingly, one profile after another popped up, leaving him to swipe right to signal his interest or left to pass.
Even this simple act felt like a challenge.
How could he simply reject a woman based on a second-long first impression?
Wasn’t that terribly superficial? Perhaps he was missing out on the most interesting women this way?
And the reverse was also true: just because he found someone’s photo attractive didn’t mean they’d be a good match, did it?
Kendrick sighed. His uptight approach wouldn’t do! After all, he had opened the app with a clear goal in mind: to get laid. Tonight. He went back to swiping, rather randomly, and froze when he found himself looking at a familiar face: Shona Fraser!
The sight of her startled him so much that he dropped his phone.
It landed on the ground with a thud. Kendrick recalled the strangely intimate moment they had shared at yesterday’s party, when she had given him a look of such empathy and understanding.
That had been the first time she had made a positive impression on him instead of striking him as utterly irritating.
Still … what was she doing on Tinder? Not on the app itself, that seemed reasonable enough, but his Tinder with its tiny search radius?
Shouldn’t she be a safe distance away back in Kirkby?
He picked up his phone again. Better to swipe left! He stared at her profile pic for another moment. These full red lips, the shiny black hair, the mysterious look ... Then the band started up and he swiped right.
Shona could hardly believe her luck when she entered the pub.
Not only did they have live music tonight, even better: they had a cèilidh!
Those events were guaranteed fun and involved lots of dancing – no matter if you came alone or with friends.
There was no way not to meet people over the course of a cèilidh, even for the most introverted types.
Which she wasn’t. She made her way to the bar, found an open seat and ordered chips and a cider.
The band was setting up and more and more people crowded into the pub.
This could turn into a fun night, she thought as she nibbled her chips.
She had already spotted a few good-looking lads.
Maybe a good time to check who was online …
She rummaged through her small shoulder bag for her phone and opened Tinder.
Perhaps there would be a few fresh faces after all?
Students perhaps, or out-of-towners. Worst case, she could always text one of her previous dates.
None of them had impressed her much, but one or two lads were nice enough they’d do for a second date.
What the heck?! She paused, a frown line between her brows, when a familiar face appeared on her screen.
How interesting, the uptight vet was on Tinder!
She almost didn’t recognise him because in his profile pic he boasted a warm smile, a sight she had not yet encountered in real life.
A memory of last night flashed up, when the sadness in his eyes had resonated so deeply with her.
That smile, on the other hand, looked good on him!
Very good indeed. And he had to be right here in Inverness too, because she had set her matching radius to the closest setting.
Too bad for Hailey, who would not have a hayloft adventure with the vet tonight.
She wondered whether he had already discovered her profile on the app when the band started up.
Hmmm … should she have a little fun and swipe right?
Or would it be better for all parties if she just ignored him?
But since that hadn’t worked very well in real life either, she boldly swiped right. A match … wow! Now what?
She didn’t get a chance to think about it further because the cèilidh caller announced the evening’s first dance and Shona felt the pull of the dance floor.
Part of a loose circle formation, she twirled around with the others, changing partner after nearly every turn.
Light-footed and enthusiastic as she was, Shona moved gracefully through the figures and laughed good-naturedly when newcomers got the directions wrong.
That was the beauty of the cèilidh: nobody worried about perfection, only about having fun together.
After three rather clumsy dance partners, she suddenly found herself in the arms of a very experienced dancer.
That alone could count for a minor sensation, but when she lifted her eyes to take a look at him, she was momentarily thrown off her stride.
The smooth dancer was none other than her latest Tinder match: rude, grumpy Kendrick McIntosh!
And the vet was smiling just like in his profile pic.
Before she could react, they were swept apart again and to their next partners as the merry dance continued.
But Shona had lost her focus. Kendrick was right here!
In this pub. At this dance. He could smile.
He could dance. And he was on Tinder. That could only mean one thing, couldn’t it?
He was here for the same reason she was. And that reason wasn’t just dancing ...
Granted, her heart rate mostly had the fast-paced music and dancing to thank for its sudden increase, but a small part of it was courtesy of the new opportunities that suddenly presented themselves.
A flirt – or more – with Kendrick felt audacious, as if she were doing something forbidden.
Which was silly, of course! Whatever might happen between them would be neither audacious nor forbidden.
At most, it would be a terrible idea. Definitely a terrible idea!
After all, she couldn’t stand him. And Hailey had basically called dibs on him.
But other than that ... He looked really hot in his slim-fit jeans and smart white shirt with the sleeves rolled up.
It was far from a spectacular outfit, more suitable for a family visit or brunch with friends than a night out, but it did look damn good on him.
She had just managed to catch another glimpse of him, of his broad back, the narrow hips, the shapely bum ...
Her synapses were firing, and her hormones raised her temperature to boiling.
More than that in certain regions … Only her throat felt dry as a desert storm.
She swallowed hard and took a few sips of her cider before the music lured her back onto the dance floor.
Another series of traditional dances followed, some performed in groups, others with a partner.
Kendrick, too, was always on the dance floor, and she felt his gaze on her more than once.
Still, they didn’t end up dancing together – until the band took a break and a DJ took over.