Married to the Frenemy: A Small Town Marriage of Convenience Romance

Chapter 1

“Not again,” I hiss under my breath as I scurry through the employee entrance of the casino, my short legs not carrying me as quickly as I wish they would.

This is the third time I’m late this month.

And it’s also only the third day of the month.

To say I’m batting zero lately would be an understatement. Between the upcoming holidays and learning the woman I’ve been renting from is selling her house, requiring me to find another place to live within my meager budget, I’m more stressed than I have been in a while.

The icing on an already shitty cake is having a boss who seems to find pleasure in yelling at me for everything he can. Which is exactly what he does the second I barrel into the employee break room.

“You’re late again, McBride!” He berates from behind the desk in his office without even glancing up at me.

“Sorry, Frank. My daughter has an earache, and the pharmacy took forever to fill her prescription.”

He scoffs and finally looks up, his eyes filled with disdain. “I don’t give a shit about your kid. What I do give a shit about is that all the people on the floor spend as much money as possible. Do you know what makes them want to spend money?”

“Alcohol,” I grumble, having heard this lecture countless times.

“Yes. Alcohol. Now get that pretty little ass out there and make sure they keep spending money.”

“Of course.” I head to my locker, shoving my coat and purse inside.

I’d love nothing more than to quit this job, but as a single mom, every penny counts, especially now that I need to find a new place to live. This job may involve dealing with sleazy men and their wandering hands, but it also brings in good tips most nights.

Just as I’m about to close my locker, my phone buzzes in my purse. Stealing a glance at Frank to see his attention focused on the papers in front of him, I retrieve my cell and find an unknown number flashing on the screen.

Hoping it’s good news from one of the rentals I’ve applied for, I discreetly answer.

“Is this Haley McBride?” a voice comes over the line.

“It is.”

“This is Malcom Harris. You came to look at the property listing I have a few days ago.”

“Yes. How are you Mr. Harris?”

“Good.” His tone falters, and in that split second, I know exactly what he’s about to tell me. “Unfortunately, the owners have decided to go with another applicant at this time.”

I squeeze my eyes shut, pushing down the ball of frustration building in my throat from losing yet another rental opportunity. In the small town where I live, finding affordable housing is no easy feat, and I hate the idea of having to move to a larger city.

But with limited options and a tight budget, it may be my only choice — even if it means uprooting my daughter and taking her away from all the friends she’s made in preschool.

Even if it means uprooting my life, too.

“I appreciate you calling. Thank you for your time.”

“Haley! Floor! Now!” Frank bellows. “If I have to tell you one more time, you can kiss this job goodbye.”

“I’m going.” I shove my phone back into my purse and slam my locker shut, practically running down the hall. I don’t stop until I reach the serving area where a group of women dressed in identical tight-fitting black dresses huddle around a bar, waiting for the bartender to fill their drink orders.

“There you are,” a tall blonde says upon my approach, giving me a hug.

“Sorry. Maggie has an ear infection.”

Ivy’s expression falls. “Is she okay?”

“She’s fine. The pharmacy was just backed up and I didn’t want her to go without her antibiotics.”

“You’re a good mom.” She squeezes my arm. “How’s the apartment hunt going?”

I groan in frustration. “I’m beginning to think it’s hopeless. So far, every place has turned me down. Probably because they’re worried I won’t be able to make the rent. As it is, I’m not sure how I’ll come up with the down payment I need, especially with Christmas coming.”

“I’m sorry, Haley.” She gives me a sympathetic look, her perfectly manicured nails tapping against the bar. “You could always…you know.”

She doesn’t come right out and say it. She doesn’t need to. I’m painfully aware of how some of the cocktail waitresses here supplement their income through prostitution. Hell, some girls ended up quitting and doing it full time when they learned how much they could make.

There was only one time I came even remotely close to crossing that line, thanks to unexpected medical bills for Maggie. Luckily, I came to my senses before I did something I’d regret, no matter how much money I could have made.

“It’ll be worthwhile. Especially for you.” Ivy leans closer. “Blondes are a dime a dozen around here.” She nods at the sea of blonde-haired cocktail waitresses. “But a natural redhead?” She toys with a tendril of my auburn hair. “Men go wild for that. A few of my regulars ask about you. Want to know if you’re available.” She places her drink order on her tray and carefully lifts it off the bar.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” I respond with a tight smile.

“It’s not as bad as it seems,” Ivy reassures me as we make our way onto the casino floor.

The air is thick with the smell of tobacco and alcohol, mixed with the scent of sweat and desperation. The cacophony of slot machines ringing and patrons cheering is almost deafening, forcing us to raise our voices to be heard.

“The first time is tough. Fucks with your head. Now, I just kind of turn it off, ya know?”

She means well. But the mere thought of doing that makes my stomach churn. This isn’t the life I want for myself or my daughter.

“I’ll figure something out,” I tell her.

But with every passing day, my options seem to dwindle. I fear I may soon have no other choice than to do what I swore I never would.