Page 63 of A Montana Fake Marriage

By the end of the day, Sammie had found herself sitting at the bar area of the Steer House.

She’d been here a handful of times over the last year, always with Caleb. It had been a fun place where they could celebrate those little triumphs. There was no real reason for her being here. The place shouldn’t have drawn her—and yet here she was.

She glanced around at the familiar place that hadn’t changed one bit since her first visit. A large bucking bronco clock hung on the wall nearby. Several paintings of rodeo cowboys adorned much of the free space, broken up only by deer heads. The atmosphere was darker here, with wooden accents and concrete flooring. But the country music made up for it, making it feel cozier than it should.

Sammie heaved a sigh as she brought the glass of water to her lips. She fully intended on tipping the bartender, even though she wasn’t sure she could get anything more than the glass in her hand. Her appetite had left her since yesterday. Eating held no appeal to her—not that she was prepared to pay for anything here, either.

Waitresses hurried from table to table, smiling at their customers who grinned right back. The smell of steak and potatoes permeated the air, but not even that could tempt her into ordering anything.

“You doing okay, hon?”

Sammie lifted her gaze to a waitress who had slipped behind the bar. She wasn’t the usual bartender, but she was fixing a cocktail all the same. The blonde offered a concerned smile, expectation in her eyes. Sammie nodded. “I’m fine.”

The woman’s perfectly shaped brow lifted, and she popped out a hip as she topped the drink with an orange wedge. “No, you’re not.”

Sammie stiffened. “Yes, I am,” she blurted. “You don’t know anything.”

The waitress had the gall to smile.

Smile!

It was like she knew something Sammie didn’t. She was familiar. Sammie was sure she’d seen this woman before, though she’d never served her when Caleb had brought them here. Sammie’s eyes darted down to the nametag the woman wore.

Lacey.

Well, if Lacey didn’t leave her alone, she was going to get reported to management.

The waitress continued staring, and Sammie was tempted to throw her water at the woman before storming out. Instead, she met the woman’s stare with narrowed eyes. For a moment, she didn’t know if Lacey would take the hint and leave. They were in a standoff, Lacey grinning and Sammie scowling.

Then Lacey picked up the cocktail and winked at Sammie before striding away.

That wasn’t weird at all.

In a matter of seconds, she’d returned, and Sammie let out a groan.

Lacey leaned forward, her elbows on the bar. She tilted her head, and that smile grew. “You’re married to Caleb, right?”

Sammie stiffened. How did she know? Where they friends? Exes?

Her stomach soured as she continued to gape at the woman.

Lacey laughed. It was the kind of laugh that was almost infectious. If Sammie had been in a better mood, she might have laughed with her. Lacey waved her hand through the air. “I know what you’re thinking, and no. Doesn’t stop people from spreading rumors, though. Flirting is always a great way to get better tips.” She winked again. “I’m just really good at faces, and I can remember names without much effort. Makes me a good waitress.”

What was she supposed to say to this woman—the woman who had interjected herself in Sammie’s miserable evening without being invited? Nothing. She should say nothing. The last thing Sammie wanted was for this woman to get any ideas about her or her fake relationship. Heck, Sammie didn’t know what she was going to do about her fake relationship.

“You’re clearly having a bad day. Wanna talk about it?” Lacey’s gaze didn’t waver. “Tad isn’t back from his break yet, and since we’re slow, he asked me to keep an eye on things back here.”

Tad must have been the bartender that had given Sammie her water. Still, Sammie refused to spill anything about her life to this woman—or anyone, for that matter.

“It might help if you talk about it. You don’t have to give me any details or anything—but seriously, talking things out seems to get us through the worst of it.”

Again, Sammie shook her head. “I’m fine.”

Lacey lifted that brow again, her lips curling to one side in a knowing smirk. “If I had to guess, I’d say it’s guy trouble. Seeing as you’re married… my bet would be that the honeymoon stage is over, and now you have to enter the real world.” She straightened and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. A softsigh slipped from her lips. “That’s no fun. It can definitely make or break you. Let me guess, you’re pregnant?”

Sammie’s eyes widened. “What? No.”

Lacey didn’t balk at her response. She merely tapped her finger to her chin. “Financial stuff then.”

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