AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter One
Olivia
“Welcome toSierra’s International Dating Agency. We specialise in international and travel dating for Australian women all over the world. Whether you’re living and working abroad and wanting to meet the love of your life or travelling to a foreign country and would rather enjoy it with someone instead of going at it alone, we’re the company who understands Australian women. Thank you for entrusting us to give you a helping hand in your love life.
“Simply press the record button to film a short, sixty-second video about who you are and what you’re looking for and our professional staff will begin finding your matches shortly. Remember, we screen all our potential members so you do not have to worry about inappropriate contacts. If you should receive such a response, simply report it and the member will be reprimanded and removed. This is the Sierra promise.”
I sighed at the bubbly, young blonde on my phone screen and wished I was as cheerful and taut as she was. If only we all looked like her with her perky breasts, flat stomach, and perfect smile, then maybe everyone’s lives would be as sunshiny bright as midday on Santa Barbara Beach.
I picked up the piece of paper I’d jotted a few notes on from the picnic bench in front of me and positioned the phone to make sure it had a good shot of the ocean behind me. I pressed record and began reading from the paper.
“Hi, my name’s Olivia. I’m twenty-five, and I’m looking for a man who would like to date casually and see how things go between us. I’m not the type of person to jump straight into bed, though, so you can forget that. I like the beach and um . . ..”
Shit, I couldn’t think of anything else without revealing too much of my life.
“I guess that’s it.”
I quickly ended the recording and posted it before I had the chance to change my mind about all of this. I threw my phone into my black, faux-leather handbag and headed away from the beach. I wished I had the time to enjoy the warm water of the Pacific Ocean.
The truth was, I hadn’t had the luxury of enjoying the beach for a long time. Instead, I spent a ridiculous amount of time at a dead-end job I hated, serving rude customers for hours upon hours.
But I stuck with it because it wasn’t about me. I needed this job so I could look after my son. It was just the two of us and it was my responsibility that he got an education, had a roof over his head, got fed every day, and was able to wear passable clothing—even if his clothing was second-hand. Nothing else mattered to me but Charlie.
I made my way to my 1999 Toyota Camry and slid into the driver’s seat. I was about to turn the key in the ignition when my phone pinged with a notification. I dug it back out and discovered there were already four responses to my video. Gee, these guys must’ve been bloody desperate. I was a plain, single mum in a city full of starlets and wannabe actresses. Who on earth would pounce on my video so soon?
Immediately, I didn’t trust them.
I threw the phone back into my bag and started the car. I had stepped out of my comfort zone enough for one day. I could make any interested parties wait until I was ready to respond.
Putting the car into reverse, I backed out of the parking spot and drove toSunshine City Market. I parked in the staff parking lot and headed towards the staff entrance at the back of the store.
“Hey, Dale.” I nodded at the short blonde guy with the bushy beard as I reached the door.
He stubbed out his cigarette and tossed it into the rubbish bin. I swear he was the only smoker who was actually considerate of the environment around him. “Hey, Liv. How’s your day?”
“Not bad.”
He chuckled. “It’s about to get worse. The meat slicer went to meat slicer heaven this morning. People are already bitching and moaning, and we haven’t even reached the lunch rush yet.”
I hooked the black apron over my neck to cover my yellow polo shirt and chinos and pinned my name badge on my chest. “Great, sounds like it’s going to be a fun day.”
I put my belongings inside my personal locker, then checked my roster. Thank God I wasn’t in the deli today! I was packing shelves, instead. I could handle that.
I parted ways with Dale and began to help Rea stack the tinned goods.
“Hey, how was your weekend?” Rea asked as she stacked tins of creamed corn on the shelf in front of her.
“I was here for most of it, but my son and I watched movies on Sunday afternoon.”
Rea smiled. “That sounds like fun.”
“It was.”
“What’s his favourite movie?”
“The Lego Movie.” I rolled my eyes. “Charlie is mad about Lego.”
“Hey, be glad he doesn’t have my daughter’s glitter obsession. That stuff is worse than sand . . . it gets into everything!”
