Half Empty (First Wives, #2)(63)

“Strip club,” Avery said without missing a beat. “I was the stripper, he owned the club.”

Wade glanced at Trina. “Is she serious?”

“You’re gullible and she’s on drugs.” Trina laughed.

“Sit down, you’re making me nervous,” Avery demanded.

“Yes, ma’am.” Wade took a vacant chair on the opposite side of the bed from Trina.

“Rick said the police were coming back.”

“Yeah,” Trina confirmed.

“I don’t remember anything. You went to a party . . .”

“Right, at Wade’s house in Texas.”

“I-I was . . . Fedor’s watch.”

Trina sat forward. “Right. You were taking the watches here to have the auction house appraise and advise. Do you remember which one you went to?”

“I barely remember driving in. God, this sucks.”

Trina patted her hand. “It’s okay. The doctors think it will come back.”

“I hope so.”

Wade wasn’t so sure that was a good idea, considering the mess her body was in because of another human being. He couldn’t imagine anyone beating a woman. Seeing Avery in that bed made him realize the threat against Trina was more than just show. He’d chuckled at white on rice, but now he got it. Really got it, and he didn’t plan on giving anyone the chance of doing this to her.

Doug returned to the room, an acoustic guitar in his hand. Behind him, a couple of the other nurses stood by, watching. “You sure this is okay?” Doug asked.

Wade accepted the guitar and winked. “My pleasure. How long have you been playing?”

“A couple years. It’s just a hobby. Helps me relax after a busy shift.”

“Fenders are one of my favorites,” Wade told him. He strummed the strings and tuned the A before strumming again. “They have a great sound.” Wade moved his fingers over the strings like he was born to do. When he looked up to see Avery smiling and Trina beaming, he decided it wouldn’t hurt to hum a few bars.

I want a woman who tastes like whiskey and sips like wine . . .

A woman who smiles like sunshine and laughs like spring . . .

Everyone says you won’t find love if you’re searching for her . . .

I swear I’m not lookin’ but you’re not there . . .

All I need is your heart . . .

All I want is your love . . .

Stop looking for me, darlin’, I’m standing right here.

Trina tilted her head and listened to him with a smile that angels blessed, and Wade kept singing.

I want a woman who smiles at children and cries in the rain . . .

A woman who melts in my arms and calls out my name . . .

Everyone says you won’t find love when you’re searching for her . . .

I swear I’m not lookin’ but you’re not there . . .

All I need is your heart . . .

All I want is your love . . .

He could see other nurses and visitors gathering outside the door, but all Wade saw was Trina’s glittering eyes.

I want to stand there with you in the morning light . . .

Fall asleep beside you after talkin’ all night . . .

I want to find you, darlin’, and give you all of my heart . . .

I need to find you, baby, and share all of my love . . .

So please stop searchin’, honey, and let fate have a spin.

I’ll stop lookin’, sweetheart, and we’ll let love slip in.

Cuz everyone says you won’t find love when you’re searchin’ . . .

All I want to give you is all of my heart . . .

All I want from you is all of your love . . .

Stop searchin’ for me, baby . . .

And I’ll stop lookin’ for you . . .

I’m standing right here, honey, starin’ at you.

He let the last chord fade off as he ended the song. Moisture gathered behind Trina’s eyes, and Wade’s heart skipped several beats.

Applause snapped him out of his daze.

“Okay,” Avery said as the clapping came to a close. “You can date her, but you can’t marry her.”

“Avery!” Trina scolded.

“He wrote that song forever ago. He has to write one for you first.”

Wade slid the guitar to his lap and took the pen Doug handed him. “I’m going to have to write a song about my girlfriend’s pit bull.”

Trina laughed.

“Now we’re talking,” Avery agreed.



The phone in the penthouse suite woke them up at seven in the morning.

Trina had fallen asleep in Wade’s arms after talking most of the night. Their afternoon nap had left them with more energy, which they put to good use. It helped that an early morning wasn’t necessary, since Avery was headed for surgery before the first cup of coffee.

Wade rolled over, pulled the phone to his ear. “Yeah?”

Trina snuggled back on her bicep pillow.

“When did you get in?”

She couldn’t hear the other half of the conversation and decided to close her eyes.

“Fine, yeah. Come on up.”

Wade blindly placed the phone back on the cradle.

“Who was that?”

“Ike.” He kissed the side of her head and rolled out of bed.