GONE - Part Three (The GONE Series Book 3) Read Online Free Page A

that I feel like shit and likely look like hell isn't registering with either of them. "What's going on?" I ask tentatively.
    "We didn't just call you down here to have lunch," Ben says loudly. "I mean we love spending time with you, Lil, but we have something to tell you."
    It has to be good news. Judging by the way he keeps kissing her cheek I'd bet money that they're not breaking up. They're engaged so it's either a wedding date or…
    "We're having a baby," Kayla blurts out. "Ben and I are having a baby."
    My eyes volley from her face back to his. I want to cry, not because I'm so thrilled for the two of them. I am. I know Ben will be an amazing father and his child will never want for anything. I want to cry because this is what it looks like when two people who love each other start a family. This is the joy that is in their faces. The last time I sat at a table and was told a baby was on the way was much different than this. My mother was shedding tears of sorrow over the fact that she was pregnant with my youngest brother, River. He only lived to be five-years-old.
    "Did you hear her, Lil?" Ben is almost bouncing out of his chair. "We're going to have a baby."
    My hand leaps to my mouth. I push against my lips to hold in a sob. "I'm so happy for you both," I whisper between my fingers.
    "I'm having the waiter bring over some champagne for Ben and your friend." A deep voice from the right invades our conversation. "Do you want some sparkling juice or water, Kayla? I can see if we have any non-alcoholic champagne."
    "Thank you, Hunter." Kayla reaches to touch the top of his hand. "Juice would be good."
    Hunter. I know who he is. He's the man who is raising Clive's nephew, Cory.
    "I'm sorry, Hunter." Kayla chuckles softly. "This is our friend, Lilly."
    He reaches his hand to me and I grab onto it without hesitation. This is the only person, besides Parker, who is part of Clive's family. I stare at him, taking in the kindness of his smile as he stares down at me. "It's my pleasure, Lilly."
    "How do you know Ben?" I ask without thinking. Judging by the fact that Ben has already invited me to Axel NY twice, I'm guessing that he's a regular.
    "I'm friends with Hunter's wife," Kayla explains. "We've been friends since college."
    The world is a very small and random place. "That's amazing. I've heard great things about Sadie."
    All three sets of eyes hone in on me. I said it without thinking and now I'm going to have to explain not only how I know Sadie's name but also, who has told me about her.
    "Wait." Hunter takes a full step back just as his hand flies to his chin. "I know you."
    He doesn't. I've never met the man. He's thinking of some other redhead who knows his wife. I don't even technically know her. I only know of her because of my Clive Parker fact finding missions online and the few small details he offered about her. "We've never met."
    "You're dating Clive." A small grin pulls at the corner of his mouth. "You're that Lilly."
    "You're dating Clive Parker?" Kayla's hand falls to the table with a dull, empty thud. "Why didn't you tell me you were dating Clive Parker?"
    Why can't I rewind time to the moment when Hunter walks over to our table, so can I duck underneath it?
    "It's really new and we haven't discussed whether…"
    "I used to date his brother, Parker."
    "What?" I spit the word out with more distaste than I intend. "You dated Parker?"
    "Have you met him?" She leans both elbows on the table. "I haven't seen him in months."
    I stare at Ben. He's listening intently to Kayla, with a broad smile on his face. I, on the other hand, feel as though I'm about to scream. How is it even remotely possible that my only friend's fiancée used to date my boyfriend's brother?
    "Lilly?" She taps her fingers over my hand. "Have you met Parker?"
    "Once." I look up at Hunter's face. He seems just as invested in this conversation as Kayla is. "He came to the bistro I was working at one night so it was a quick hello. That's