Swipe Right, Heart Left

Tuesday, 7:17 PM

Dating App Message Denise: Hi Michelle, Thanks for matching. Hope you had a good long weekend!

Tuesday, 7:25 PM

Dating App Message Michelle: Hey Denise! I did, thanks. Got some hiking in. How about you?

Tuesday, 7:31 PM

Dating App Message Denise: Nice! Just chilled out, honestly. Needed the recharge. Your profile mentioned you're into photography? Any cool shots from the hike?

Tuesday, 7:38 PM

Dating App Message Michelle: Definitely. Yeah, it's my main hobby. Got some decent mountain views, nothing too dramatic but always good to be out there. What do you do when you're not recharging?

Tuesday, 7:45 PM

Dating App Message Denise: Haha, fair question! I teach Grade 3. So "recharging" usually means not having to answer 20 questions about why the sky is blue. Or tie 15 shoelaces.

Tuesday, 7:52 PM

Dating App Message Michelle: Oh wow, mad respect. That sounds… intense. I work in software development, so my daily questions are usually about why the code isn't compiling. Different kind of headache.

Tuesday, 7:59 PM

Dating App Message Denise: Tell me about it. At least your code doesn't try to trade you half a granola bar for extra recess. So, software dev – what kind of stuff do you build?

Tuesday, 8:07 PM

Dating App Message Michelle: Mostly enterprise stuff, unfortunately not as exciting as it sounds. But I'm dabbling in a new app idea on the side, trying to make it easier to find local art events. Still super early stages.

Tuesday, 8:15 PM

Dating App Message Denise: Ooh, I love that! I'm always looking for something cool to do that isn't just dinner and a movie. Speaking of which, given our vastly different but equally exhausting days, maybe we should grab a drink sometime this week? No pressure, just thought it might be nice to chat outside the app.

Tuesday, 8:20 PM

Dating App Message Michelle: I'd like that a lot. Wednesday night works for me if you're free? There's a decent spot downtown, "The Common," not too loud, good beer selection. Or happy to hear your suggestions.

Tuesday, 8:26 PM

Dating App Message Denise: Wednesday sounds perfect! The Common is great, I know it. Say 7 PM?

Tuesday, 8:30 PM

Dating App Message Michelle: Sounds good. Looking forward to it, Denise.

Tuesday, 8:33 PM

Dating App Message Denise: Me too, Michelle! See you then.

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Thursday, 8:15 AM

Text Message Denise: Morning, stranger! Hope you got home okay last night. I had a really good time. :)

Thursday, 8:23 AM

Text Message Michelle: Morning, Denise! Definitely made it back in one piece. And yeah, I had a great time too. Way more fun than I expected for a Wednesday.

Thursday, 8:28 AM

Text Message Denise: Same here! Definitely didn't expect to be out that late on a school night. My alarm was not thrilled with me this morning.

Thursday, 8:35 AM

Text Message Michelle: Haha, mine either. Coffee's definitely doing the heavy lifting today. You still got that easy smile on your face though?

Thursday, 8:39 AM

Text Message Denise: Trying to! It's buried under a pile of marking, but it's there. 😉 What about you, code still compiling?

Thursday, 8:46 AM

Text Message Michelle: Surprisingly, yes. Maybe it's just happy it got some company last night.

Thursday, 8:50 AM

Text Message Denise: Could be! Well, thanks again for a fun night, Michelle. Let's do it again sometime soon? Maybe when a school night isn't looming.

Thursday, 8:55 AM

Text Message Michelle: Absolutely. I'd like that a lot. How about I text you over the weekend? Give your alarm a break.

Thursday, 8:58 AM

Text Message Denise: Sounds like a plan. Talk soon!

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Saturday, 10:05 AM

Text Message Denise: Hey! Hope you're having a good start to your weekend. I'm just enjoying a ridiculously large coffee and trying to pretend I don't have a mountain of laundry waiting. What are you up to today? Anything exciting on the photography front?

Saturday, 10:12 AM

Text Message Michelle: Relaxing.

Saturday, 10:15 AM

Text Message Denise: Nice! Good plan. I probably should be relaxing too, but my brain has decided it's productivity day. Or maybe it's just the coffee. Did you end up going out for photos, or is it an indoor kind of day?

Saturday, 10:20 AM

Text Message Michelle: Indoor.

Saturday, 10:23 AM

Text Message Denise: Fair enough. It's actually looking pretty bright out now, but I guess a cozy indoor day is sometimes exactly what you need. Are you working on that app idea you mentioned, or just chilling?

Saturday, 10:28 AM

Text Message Michelle: Chilling.

Saturday, 10:30 AM

Text Message Denise: Okay, fair enough, sounds like you're really committed to the chill! Haha. Well, don't let me interrupt your peace. Just wanted to say hi. Enjoy your Saturday!

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Saturday, 6:45 PM

Text Message Michelle: Hey. Sorry for being so quiet earlier. Just had one of those mornings. Feeling human again now.

Saturday, 6:48 PM

Text Message Denise: No worries at all, I totally get it! Glad you're feeling better. :)

Saturday, 6:53 PM

Text Message Michelle: Good. Listen, I know it's last minute, but would you be up for grabbing a drink tonight? Or maybe even some food? There's a new place that just opened up in Old Strathcona I've been meaning to check out.

Saturday, 6:57 PM

Text Message Denise: Oh! A new place, tempting. What kind of food?

Saturday, 7:02 PM

Text Message Michelle: It's called "The Fork & Spoon" – apparently, it's modern Canadian, lots of local ingredients. Heard good things about their patio too, if it's not too chilly.

Saturday, 7:06 PM

Text Message Denise: Mmm, modern Canadian. Sounds delicious. I'd love to! What time were you thinking?

Saturday, 7:10 PM

Text Message Michelle: Great! How about 8 PM? I can pick you up, or we can meet there?

Saturday, 7:13 PM

Text Message Denise: 8 PM works. Let's meet there. Gives me just enough time to get ready without rushing. See you then!

Saturday, 7:15 PM

Text Message Michelle: Awesome. See you soon, Denise.

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Sunday, 11:03 AM

Text Message Denise: Morning (ish)! Just wanted to let you know I made it home in one piece. My bed feels impossibly far away right now, but totally worth it. Still smiling though! Hope you're having a lazier morning than I probably should be. Thinking about last night and just... wow. 😊

Sunday, 11:10 AM

Text Message Michelle: Morning, Denise. Glad you got back okay. And yeah, definitely a lazy morning here.

Sunday, 11:14 AM

Text Message Denise: Oh good, glad someone is! My brain is already thinking about all the things I should be doing today, but honestly, I think I might just float around on a cloud of happiness for a bit instead. Last night was seriously so much fun, I already can't stop replaying bits of it. It was just... perfect. Like, absolutely perfect.

Sunday, 11:20 AM

Text Message Michelle: It was a good night.

Sunday, 11:23 AM

Text Message Denise: Right?! Seriously, so good. I don't think I've laughed that much in ages. And just everything about it... the conversation, the food, the company... really, really good. Anyway, I should probably try to be productive at some point today. But just wanted to say thank you again for such a wonderful time! My cheeks hurt from smiling. Hope you have a great rest of your Sunday!

Text Message Michelle: I had a good time too, Denise.

Sunday, 11:35 AM

Text Message Denise: So glad to hear that! My Sunday is officially made. :) Are you thinking of doing anything fun this week? Want to hang out? Maybe a low-key coffee or something? Or even next weekend, I'm pretty open!

Sunday, 11:42 AM

Text Message Michelle: This week is looking pretty hectic for me, unfortunately. Got a big deadline coming up at work, and then I'm probably going to be focusing on that app idea for a bit.

Sunday, 11:46 AM

Text Message Denise: Oh, totally understandable! Work stuff always comes first. Good luck with the deadline and the app, that's really exciting! Just let me know when things quiet down for you. No pressure at all.

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Monday, 4:55 PM

Text Message Denise: Hope your Monday isn't too brutal with that deadline looming! Just got through a particularly wild afternoon with the kiddos, so definitely ready for some quiet time. Sending good vibes for your coding!

Monday, 5:02 PM

Text Message Michelle: I don’t usually open up to people this fast, but there’s something about you that makes it feel easy. Like I can just... be myself. It’s kind of scary, but also really nice. Don’t overthink that. Just wanted you to know.

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Tuesday, 7:10 AM

Text Message Denise: Morning! Just saw the sun breaking through the clouds, thinking it's going to be a gorgeous day. Hope your week is starting to calm down a little bit with the project. Let me know if you need any virtual coffee sent your way! :)

Tuesday, 7:15 AM

Text Message Michelle: Busy.

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Wednesday, 3:30 PM

Text Message Denise: Happy Wednesday! We made it halfway through the week! 🎉 Counting down to the weekend already. How's the app development coming along? Still hitting those exciting "super early stages" or making some big progress?

Wednesday, 3:37 PM

Text Message Michelle: Progress.

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Thursday, 1:15 PM

Text Message Denise: Hey! Just thinking about our conversation from the other night and all the cool local art stuff you mentioned. Made me want to check out the farmers market this weekend, they always have interesting artists there. Anyway, hope your deadline is wrapping up and you can finally breathe!

Thursday, 1:20 PM

Text Message Michelle: Almost.

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Friday, 9:00 AM

Text Message Denise: TGIF! You must be so ready for the weekend after this week. Are you planning anything fun to decompress? Maybe a hike to clear your head and get some good photos? :) Hope you have a great one, whatever you end up doing!

Friday, 9:05 AM

Text Message Michelle: Maybe.

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Saturday

Saturday, 9:17 AM

Text Message Denise: Morning! Hope you're really enjoying that decompression! I'm already out and about, thinking about grabbing a coffee and maybe hitting up that farmers market we talked about. Just picturing all the cool art! Maybe you'll find some inspiration for your app there too! Let me know if you decide to pop by! :)

Saturday, 9:25 AM

Text Message Michelle: K.

Saturday, 1:03 PM

Text Message Denise: Hey! Just at the market, it's pretty busy! Saw this amazing painting that reminded me of that mountain view shot you took. Seriously, you should've come! It's so inspiring. What are you doing? Still working? Or finally getting some fresh air?

Saturday, 1:10 PM

Text Message Michelle: Working.

Saturday, 5:45 PM

Text Message Denise: So, thinking of grabbing some dinner soon. I know a great little place with amazing tacos, super casual. Totally no pressure if you're swamped, but a break might be good! It's been a long week for both of us! Let me know if you're even remotely tempted. I'm free whenever.

Saturday, 5:50 PM

Text Message Michelle: Can't.

Saturday, 9:30 PM

Text Message Denise: Hey. Just wondering if everything's okay? You've been super quiet. Hope the app isn't driving you totally crazy! Just a little worried, that's all. Anyway, night! Sleep well.

Saturday, 9:32 PM

Text Message Michelle: Fine.

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Sunday

Sunday, 8:05 AM

Text Message Denise: Good morning! Rise and shine! Hope you had a good sleep after all that hard work. I was thinking maybe we could just do a really low-key coffee today? Like, really chill, just grab a quick one, say hi, no big deal. Even 20 minutes? Just checking in.

Sunday, 8:10 AM

Text Message Michelle: No.

Sunday, 12:15 PM

Text Message Denise: Are you mad at me? Did I say something wrong the other night? I keep replaying everything in my head and I can't figure out what happened. I thought we had such a good time. I really, really liked you, Michelle. More than just a good time. Just tell me what's going on.

Sunday, 12:20 PM

Text Message Michelle: No.

Sunday, 4:30 PM

Text Message Denise: This is getting kind of ridiculous, Michelle. Why are you ignoring me? Seriously, a simple explanation would be nice. I feel like I'm losing my mind here. I don't understand. Are you just going to completely ghost me after... everything? Please just say something. Anything.

Sunday, 4:40 PM

Text Message Michelle: Busy.

Sunday, 7:55 PM

Text Message Denise: You know what? Fine. Whatever. I guess I got the message loud and clear. Some "good time" that was. Don't worry about "texting over the weekend" or "letting me know when things quiet down." Clearly, they never will. Don't bother.

Sunday, 10:31 PM

Text Message Michelle: Denise, it was just a night. Don't make it a thing.

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Monday, 8:45 AM

Text Message Denise: You know, I thought I was losing my mind, but thank you for making it clear. Saves me a lot of wasted energy. Hope your "thing" works out for you.

Monday, 1:20 PM

Text Message Denise: And just for the record, a "night" for you is clearly a lot different than a "night" for someone else. But hey, lessons learned, right? Don't worry, you won't be hearing from me again. Enjoy your busy life.

Monday, 7:05 PM

Text Message Denise: Actually, one last thing. You could have just been honest. It would have saved us both a lot of time. And me, a lot of unnecessary stress. But I guess that's too much to ask.

Monday, 11:37 PM

Text Message Michelle: You should really close your blinds at night, Denise. Especially when you're crying.