Swipe Right (Audio Script)

Stories

“Yeah, it was weird.

I was kind of unsure about the whole situation since the guy who owns the place lives next door, but it’s been great.”

“Oh, wow, you weren’t kidding about the space.

Oh my god, and those windows.

Damn.”

“Yeah, yeah, it’s a good arrangement.

I get to call this place home at a way below-market price and the guy I’m subletting it from gets a free cat-sitter for the next year while he’s away.”

“That’s incredible.

Great find with this place.”

“Okay, so, let me see what I’ve got here.

Amaro, gin, vermouth… what do you want?”

“Surprise me.”

Your apartment is warm and dimly lit.

There’s a faint smell of palo santo and the open window is letting in a nice breeze.

Nice vintage furniture, record player and a huge shelf of vinyl in the corner.

It’s comfortable.

Intimate, almost.

A place I could see myself being comfortable in.

Well, that’s thinking a little too far ahead since we literally just met tonight, but… doesn’t hurt to go ahead and start thinking about these things.

I’m a little buzzed from the wine we had at the bar, but also still a little… nervous, I guess? I never go home with guys on the first date, so this is… yeah, totally new for me.

But that was the point of this whole dating app experiment.

Trying new things.

Getting out of the little comfort zone I’ve been living in for so long.

This is the first date I’ve been on with someone I met on an app, so I’m keeping my expectations low.

But I have to say… tonight has gone really well.

Like, surprisingly well.

I mean, I just came home with you which I had absolutely no plans on doing earlier today, so…

You’re objectively hot.

Or, conventionally, maybe.

Broad shoulders, toned arms peeking out of your shirtsleeves as you toss around your silver shaker.

And that hair… so dark and wavy and…

Yeah.

I’m into you.

And I’m 99% positive I want to hookup with you.

But I fully recognize that dating app dates don’t usually go this well, so… I don’t know.

I’ve been waiting for the shoe to drop, I guess, waiting for you to say or do something that I fundamentally disagree with.

But so far, so good.

“Alright, here you go.

Specialty surprise cocktail.”

“Ooh, it’s beautiful.

Wow, with the little maraschino cherries and everything.”

“Oh my god.

That’s incredible.

What’s in this?

Liquid gold?”

“It’s my twist on an old-fashioned.”

“So, were you a bartender at some point or do you just make drinks like this casually?”

“Ah, it’s just a hobby.

No professional training.

I’m glad you like it—you’ve got a good taste.”

You give me a wink which, normally, I would find kind of… try-hard, but for some reason it’s endearing coming from you.

A little sexy.

We’ve already done the whole small talk thing back at the bar.

We chatted about our jobs, family, hobbies, all of that, so… now there’s not much left to talk about except… more… personal stuff.

“So, um… can I ask you something?”

“Yeah.

Of course.”

“What are you, um… what are you looking for?

I mean, I know you said on the app something casual,

but I guess I just… I want to hear a little more about that.”

“Um… yeah.

Yeah, well, now that I’m two drinks in, I might not be able to give the most eloquent response, but… I guess I’m just looking to… see what happens?

I’m not putting any expectations on anyone, including myself.

This is my first time using the apps, and I think I just want to go with flow.”

“Right, right.

Well, to be fair, I think it’s pretty hard these days…

finding real connections with other people, y’know?”

“Yeah, yeah, definitely.”

“I don’t want to sound too much like a serial dater here, but I’ve been on this app cycle plenty of times and…yeah, as you can see, I’ve haven’t exactly found someone I’m planning on growing old with.

But that’s okay. I’m not necessarily trying to do that.”

“Right, right.

I feel like there’s a lot of pressure on first dates, like… it’s an interview or something. It’s like, I’m not looking for my husband, you know?

I’m just looking for someone to… connect with, to see me… even if just for a night.”

“Yeah… exactly. So… hypothetically, if we were to hook up tonight…

what would happen tomorrow?”

“That’s a good question.

Um… well, assuming it’s, y’know, good… then, I’d say you’ve got a pretty good chance of having breakfast with me tomorrow.

Maybe even a second date if you play your cards right.”

“Breakfast and a second date, okay.

Sounds good.”

You lean forward and your knee brushes against mine.

I feel like we’re dancing around each other, both wanting to take things to the next level but unsure if it’s the right time.

It’s like we’re both testing the waters, trying to figure out if there’s something more here than just a fun night out.

“In that case… I think I’m going to go for it.

I’ve been thinking about when a good time to kiss you might be, and… it kinda feels like right now is that time.

What do you think?”

“I think you think too much.”

Your mouth is warm and soft.

You taste like whiskey and maple and it’s… addicting.

Your hand covers nearly my entire knee as you lean forward a little more and deepen the kiss.

“What?”

“Nothing.

I’m just… trying to figure you out.”

“You… should use your hands to do that…”

You kiss me deeper… and reach up to gently hold my cheek in one hand.

We’re moving slow… like we’re savoring each other because we know this might be our only night together…

“You feel so good…

I feel… really in sync with you…”

“I do, too.”

“I was watching you… earlier, while I was paying at the bar…”

“Watching me?”

“Yeah… just… admiring you.

I thought it was really beautiful… you did this thing where you pushed your fingers through your hair and… you were leaning back in the chair and… you weren’t looking at your phone or trying to distract yourself while I was gone.

You were just… taking everything in… being in the moment…”

“I want to go to your bedroom.”

You take my hand in yours and wordlessly guide me from the living room down the hall.

Your bedroom is similar to the rest of your apartment.

Vintage, muted browns, and greens.

Curated in a way that feels natural, unpretentious.

I climb onto the bed and sink back against the pillows, silently beckoning you forward.

When you’re close enough, I grip two of your belt loops and tug you towards me.

“You look really good in my bed.”

“You look really good on top of me.”

“Take these off…”

“Why don’t you take them off for me?”

I fumble with your belt and the clasp of your pants…

You help me tug them down over your ass and kick them off onto the floor.

It’s been a while since I’ve done this with someone I don’t know…

I have no idea what you like… but it’s kind of… thrilling… figuring it out moment by moment.

It’s like unwrapping a gift… and discovering unexpected things inside…