Swipe Right to Flirt

Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

DEIDRE

“H ey, guess what?” my brother says through video chat.

“What?”

I’m nervous by the way he’s asking his question and the expression on his face.

“Claire and I wanted to tell you something.” Mike looks back over his shoulder. “Isn’t that right, babe?”

Claire, who’s in the kitchen in the background, starts moving toward the couch where my brother is seated.

“If Mom’s there and this is another one of your freaking surprise video chats, I’m going to kill you.”

“It’s not that,” Mike replies as Claire sits next to him. “Besides, it’s been three years since I tried that.”

“I wouldn’t put it past you to try again.”

“I did consider it,” he laughs. “But it’s not that.”

“Good,” I sigh as the tension releases from my shoulders. “What is it?”

Bouncing lightly on the couch, my brother and his girlfriend of four years beam with excitement as they remain silent. Claire makes a point to greet Vix, my French Bulldog, as always when we chat. Vix barks back as if to say hello .

“What?” I say, scratching Vix’s ears, not enjoying the suspense. “Did you have surgery to enlarge your penis? ‘Cause, I really don’t want to know that shit.”

“Ew,” Mike scoffs. “Seriously, Dei?”

I shrug, pleased with my ability to annoy my brother.

He’s never been one to talk about sex around girls.

I know he has trouble talking to his girlfriend about it—I know because she tells me.

It’s one of the top things you never want to hear or discuss with your brother’s girlfriend.

The only way I can handle it is by making fun at his expense.

It’s the least he can do even though he doesn’t know that Claire brings it up.

Claire extends her left hand forward. “We’re getting married!”

“Holy shit balls!”

I’m not really shocked by the announcement. I knew this was coming.

“It’s about fucking time, Mike,” I chastise playfully.

Even though my brother and I haven’t lived in the same area for ten years, we’ve always managed to remain close.

It’s strong, not like most people I know with siblings.

Mike and I tease and torture each other on occasion, but it’s meant good-heartedly and with love.

He’s one of the few people in my life whom I know I can trust. When shit went down in the past, he was only one of a few people who didn’t abandon me.

“I know, right?” Claire squeaks.

“Ha. Ha. Very funny,” Mike replies with an annoyed expression.

“Congrats!” I say, happy for them.

“You know what that means,” Mike presents.

“You’ve considered the odds of a successful relationship versus a divorce so you’re just going to stay engaged forever?” I inquire.

“Uh, no,” Mike returns dejectedly.

Realization of the specific meaning of marriage for the two of them hits me like a brick wall. All the blood in my body drains to my feet.

“Destination wedding?” I ask nervously, though I already know the answer.

“Nope,” Mike replies.

“Why not?” I whine.

“I tried, Dei. Honestly, I did,” Claire states.

I pout as a whirlwind of emotions swirls in my stomach. “Not hard enough.”

“Come on,” Mike says. “It’s not that bad.”

“Yes, it is,” I counter, hating the idea of the wedding being in the place I once called home.

“It’s been years since you’ve been back,” Mike reminds. “Not since my college graduation six years ago.”

I have trouble making eye contact. “You know why.”

“You need to learn to forgive,” Mike says.

“No, I don’t,” I return.

“She’s promised to be on her best behavior,” Claire announces.

“Yeah,” I scoff in disbelief. “When has that ever happened?”

“She’s trying,” Mike claims.

“She’s been trying since the day Dad and I left,” I counter snidely.

“Can you blame her?” Mike asks.

“Yes,” I reply through a clenched jaw. “She’s the reason why it all happened.”

“I don’t think that was a good choice of words, honey,” Claire corrects Mike.

“You think?” I balk.

Mike rubs the back of his neck.

“When?” I ask in an attempt to change the subject.

“When what?” Claire replies.

“When’s the wedding?”

“We haven’t picked a date yet,” Claire says. “He just proposed last night.”

“Wow. I feel lucky to have found out so soon.”

“You’re my little sis, Dei. Of course you’d be one of the first people to know,” Mike states.

“Does Mom already know?”

“No,” he says.

I study them for a moment. “Bullshit.”

“Okay, she found out from Claire’s mom,” Mike confesses.

“So, you haven’t told her directly?”

“We confirmed it with her a few minutes ago in a text, but that’s it,” he says.

“Does dad know?”

“He’s next on our list,” Claire answers excitedly. “We plan to call him before we go out with your mom in celebration.”

My body cringes at the mention of my mother. “Good.” I try to stay focused on the little bit of positive news they’re sharing, but slip and ask, “So, who’s mom shacking up with now? Anyone our age again?”

“She’s married,” Mike states.

I snort. “That won’t stop her from sleeping around. Jack’s her fourth husband.”

“Dei,” Mike huffs.

“You sure she isn’t banging any of your friends? You know that’s common for cougars these days.”

“Ew, gross. You’re nasty,” Mike replies.

I laugh, enjoying the disgusted look on my brother’s face. “I wouldn’t be surprised if she has or is.”

“Seriously, Dei, grow up,” Mike scolds.

“No. At least I’m honest with who I am. Is she still denying it?”

Mike remains quiet while he sits and stews.

“Your silence is confirmation,” I goad.

Mike pinches the bridge of his nose. “Dei…I worry about you.”

“Love you, too, Bro,” I laugh.

“How is the love life going?” Claire asks timidly.

“Great,” I say. “Just had an amazing one-night stand last night.”

I didn't, but I have a reputation to uphold for my dating app.

“You’re nasty,” Mike states.

“At least I sleep with guys in my age bracket and don’t cheat.”

Mike crosses his arms. “Mom’s not here to defend herself.”

“What does she need defending from? It’s the truth.”

“She has a point, honey,” Claire agrees gently.

Mike shakes his head in disagreement.

I don’t understand why he’s he’s surprised by the direction of the conversation. He knows that any time Mom’s mentioned, I get like this because I don’t want to hear anything about her. My mother is who she is and will never change.

“Look…I’ve got a meeting in ten minutes,” I say, needing to change the subject as well as the fact that I do have a meeting.

I hop out of the car and hand my keys to the valet.

“Congrats to both of you. I’m really happy for yah.

Send me details once you have them. I’ll see if the wedding doesn’t interfere with my schedule. ”

“What?” Mike snaps. “I only plan on getting married once, Dei. You better come.”

“Yeah, yeah,” I retort.

“She’s just messing with you, honey,” Claire soothes.

“I hope you’ll reconsider a destination wedding.”

“Maybe we should have it there in L.A.,” Mike suggests. “Mom can finally see how you live…just like her.”

“Ouch,” I reply with fake emotions.

“Honey,” Claire challenges on my behalf.

“It’s okay, Claire,” I say, brushing it off. “I can take it. I’m a big girl. Besides, I’m nothing like Mom.”

“Really?” Mike laughs. “The media shows you with a new guy each month.”

“At least I don’t give them false pretenses,” I reply. “They know what they’re getting. Plus, I’m not married and cheating.”

“She’s got a valid point,” Claire supports. “It’s very different.”

“Thank you,” I huff dramatically.

“Stop condoning her behavior,” Mike says to Claire.

“I’m not. It’s just….” Claire huffs.

I smile proudly, knowing that I’m irritating my brother. He won’t ever admit it, but he knows I’m nothing like our mother.

“You can be just a cold as she is,” Mike insults.

“At least I’m honest,” I reply confidently.

“You’re going to come, right?” Mike checks, nervous from my previous statement.

“Of course,” I say. “I had to mess with you a little. You’re my big brother.”

“Good,” he sighs.

“It would be awesome if you didn’t invite her,” I state.

“She’s our mother, Dei.”

I step into the foyer of the office building. “So.”

“She’s coming regardless,” he informs.

“I’d say she’s coming,” I chuckle. “Probably with her next fling…or one of your friends right this very second.”

“Dei, that’s out of bounds!” Mike shouts.

“I’ll send you an email with the details once I know. We’re hoping to have it in about a year…maybe next spring,” Claire states, redirecting our conversation. “Oh, and you’re going to be a bridesmaid.”

“I’m not sure if I should be excited or not,” I return playfully.

“Nice try,” Claire replies.

“Okay, I really do need to go,” I say as Victoria, my PR agent, spots me walking into her office.

“Love you,” Claire says. She bumps Mike to prompt him.

“Love you,” he states through gritted teeth.

“Love you, too,” I reply before turning off my phone.

“Hi, Deidre,” Victoria greets.

Victoria has been hired to handle most of the marketing and PR for me and my recently released app called Flirt .

I’ve had a great start with the launch, but for it to grow, I need someone who knows the market and can get it to be one of the most widely used apps in the nation.

So far, I don’t mind working with her, but we’ve just gotten started.

“Hey,” I sigh, returning the hug she’s offering and then pocketing my phone.

“What’s got you down?” she asks.

“Nothing,” I lie. “My brother’s getting married.”

“Yay!” she cheers. “I love weddings.” Victoria directs me to sit in the chair opposite her.

“I thought we hate weddings with how they’re not good for business.”

“We love weddings overall, but our enjoyment is in secret regarding the app,” she says with a wink.

“Right,” I laugh.

“When is it?” she asks, flicking her fingers across her phone screen.

“Not sure yet. Why?”

“Well, are there any details?” she asks, not bothering to look up.

“Yeah,” I huff. “I’m a bridesmaid.”

“What?!” she gasps. “Oh…my…God.”

“What?”

“That would be perfect for promotions,” she mentions, sounding more excited. “Why didn’t I think of that?” She types furiously on her phone. “We’ve got some preliminary stuff already lined up for you to be associated as the face of the app. This could really push it even more.”

“How so?”

“We can do a story off of it…” she begins, not bothering to look at me as she continues to type, “…one where you’re a bridesmaid and never a bride. A bridesmaid who loves to Flirt with the groomsmen.”

“That’s twisted.” I laugh, hoping she’s kidding.

“I know,” she agrees, smiling. “But it’ll work great for advertising.”

“Sure,” I say with a shrug, hoping she’ll forget about it when her next big idea comes around. “But there’s no way in hell my brother would approve of us using any wedding photos for ads.”

“Seriously?” she half-whines, finally looking up.

“Seriously.”

Even if Mike agrees to it, I most certainly will not.

I like my personal life just that—personal.

It was a sticking point in the contract with Victoria’s company.

She had a few requests that were added to the contract to ensure the success of her marketing plans.

They made sense and seem to be working in our favor so far.

“Well, it’s a great marketing piece regardless. I’ll see which celebrities have an upcoming wedding who wouldn’t mind us piggybacking and all,” she states, returning her gaze to her phone.

“Joy,” I say sarcastically, fixing the edge of my dress as I wait for her to finally inform me about why I’ve been called to her office.