Say It Again (First Wives, #5)(48)

AJ yawned away his pretend sleep and gave Sasha’s hand one more squeeze before she slowly pulled it away.

“We’re here.”

AJ peered out the window, expecting to see a whole lot of nothing.

That wasn’t what he found.

They pulled up to a massive gate with someone in a guardhouse. It reminded him a little of Richter. Only on each side of the gate were eight-to ten-foot walls of stone and plants . . . up lights illuminated the walls and made the place feel like a fancy hotel.

Inside the walls, the views just kept coming, split rail fences with land beyond them. Tree-lined driveway that felt like it went on forever. They passed a house he thought was their destination. When they didn’t stop, he kept quiet and waited.

Then he saw it.

“You sure this isn’t a hotel?”

“Positive.” Sasha leaned over and shook Claire’s shoulder.

The girl woke with a jump.

“It’s okay. We’re here,” Sasha coaxed.

Wide, sleepy eyes started to focus. “M’kay.”

The car stopped and AJ reached for the door.

He stepped out and found himself awestruck by the size of the place. It stretched forever, a sprawling ranch that made the Harrison manor house appear way too prim and proper by comparison. “Wow.”

Sasha accepted his hand as she got out of the car but let it go as quickly as she could.

I need to work on that.

“Whoa.” Claire stood with her mouth gaping open. “Where are we going to stay next? Disneyland?”

“You made it.” The voice belonged to a woman trotting down the steps of the house. Petite with long dark hair and honey skin, her smile spread from ear to ear.

AJ turned. “Trina?” he asked in a whisper.

Sasha nodded.

Trina stopped in front of Neil first. “I was starting to worry.”

“Clean flight,” Neil told her.

Trina opened her arms for a hug. “C’mon. It won’t hurt.”

Neil stepped into her hug reluctantly.

“Wade’s coming. He was in the studio,” Trina told him.

“My men?” Neil asked.

“In the kitchen. It’s like old times in there.”

Neil walked away and Trina turned her attention on the three of them. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

Trina was all smiles, and Sasha was even stiffer than when she held his hand. “I’m unsure what Neil has told you.”

Trina laughed. “He says about half as much as you do. So next to nothing.”

“This is AJ and Claire,” Sasha introduced them.

Claire waved. “Thanks for having us.”

Trina waved them inside. “You’re welcome, darlin’. If you need anything, just ask. Please don’t be shy.”

“I don’t think you have to worry about that,” AJ said.

Claire glared over her shoulder toward him.

AJ winked.

He stood back with Sasha when Trina and Claire started up the stairs.

“No hugs and kiss hello?” he asked close to her ear.

Sasha looked at him as if he were crazy.

“Okay, got it.”

They stepped into the foyer to find Neil shaking a man’s hand. Jeans, button-down shirt, and cowboy boots. The man fit the ranch a million percent.

Up until that moment, the term gobsmacked had been more of a metaphor than reality.

Up until the exact moment when Mr. Cowboy turned to look at them.

“Hey, hon. Come here and meet Sasha’s friends.”

Trina’s husband turned their way, all smiles. “Hello, Sasha. Lovely as always.” The man didn’t hesitate as he placed an arm around Sasha’s shoulders for a hug.

She looked like she forgot to breathe. “Wade.”

“AJ, this is my husband, Wade.”

Wade put his hand out.

AJ grasped it and tried not to stutter. “Wade Thomas.” Country singer superstar. No wonder they were riding in limos and flying on jets.

He grinned. “I take it Sasha didn’t tell you.”

“Neither did Neil.”

Wade turned to Neil. “Really, man?”

“I forgot.”

That made AJ laugh. “I’ll try not to embarrass myself. Thank you for having us.”

“Anything for family,” Wade said.

Sasha shifted on the balls of her feet.

Claire stepped forward and waved. “I’m Claire and clueless. Should I know you?”

Wade and Trina laughed.

“Nope. Not at all,” Wade said.

Trina started speaking in a language AJ didn’t know. At first he thought it was German but then realized it sounded more Russian. Didn’t matter, he didn’t understand a word, but it appeared both Sasha and Claire caught what Trina was saying.

Claire started to laugh.

“You know I’m just going to make you tell me what you said later,” Wade teased his wife.

“She said you’re famous outside of the house,” Claire told him.

Wade shifted his gaze. “And inside?”

Claire laughed.

Trina stepped around Wade. “Let’s get out of the doorway. Are you guys hungry? I know it’s a long flight, but—”

“I’m starving,” Claire interrupted.