Page 40 of Belonging to Them

Natasha orders a slice of apple pie, so I do the same.

“Will that be all?”Gianna asks.

I nod.“Yep.”

Natasha kicks me under the table.

“Actually, I have a question for you?”I say, sounding uncertain.

Gianna gives me a tired smile.“Thirty-six weeks.I’m about to pop.”

“Huh?”

“That’s how far along I am.”She rubs her hand over the curve of her belly, which stretches out her apron.“Everybody wants to know.I’m not offended by the question, it’s okay.”

I shift uncomfortably in my seat.“Um, no, that’s not what I wanted to ask.”

“Oh, what is it, then?”

“Well, this might sound weird,” I say, “but do you know Thomas Marchand?”

“No.”She turns away quickly, but I don’t miss her eyes widening in fear and surprise.She quickly walks toward the counter.“I’ll have someone else bring you your pie.”

“Wait—I’m his sister,” I say.

She turns around and does a double-take.A few more steps and she’s back at the side of our table, staring at me.“You’re Ella?”

“Youdoknow him,” I say, falling back against the sticky vinyl cushion.

Natasha’s mouth is open in shock and she looks between me and Gianna.

With a bitter laugh, Gianna cradles her stomach.“Yeah.I know Tommy too well.”

ELEVEN

Ella

Natasha and I stare at Gianna, mouths open.I can’t believe what I’m seeing and hearing.

“You’re not saying…” I gesture to her large baby bump.

“It’s Tom’s baby,” she says.“Yes.”

My head is shaking in disbelief and I force myself to hold still, because, just, no.But Gianna’s eyes are filling with tears.

“I believe you,” I say, reaching out to take her hand.“I’m sorry—it’s just a huge shock, you know?”

“It sounds like he never told you about me,” she says, looking down.“He told me that you didn’t want to meet.”

My heart aches for her.“I would have one hundred percent wanted to meet you.I, uh, I haven’t been able to reach Tommy, though.Do you know where he is?”

A sob erupts from her throat and she covers her mouth, blinking back tears.“I haven’t seen Tom in three—three days.”

Okay, that’s it.I definitely need to talk to Gianna, learn more about her relationship with Tommy, and, if nothing else, give her the support he doesn’t seem capable of offering.

Natasha must be reading my mind, because she asks Gianna, “When does your shift end?”

“About an hour,” Gianna says, still looking miserable.