The Last Time I Cried Your Name novel Chapter 340

“You’re out of your mind!” Petty hissed, the words bursting out before she could stop herself.

Her neighbor was never home. In all the time she’d lived here, she couldn’t remember ever seeing anyone go in or out. So how could Franco have gotten in, especially at this hour?

Then it hit her. She spun on him, eyes wide. “Is the place next door yours?” She stared at him as he walked toward her, her legs trembling a little as she took a step back.

She couldn’t decide if she was more furious about realizing it too late, or more crushed by how easily he could control the situation. Tears started to prick at her eyes. “You bought that place to keep tabs on me, didn’t you?”

Turning away, she tried to escape, only to realize she’d spent all her strength dragging the cabinet to block the door. Now, if she wanted out, she’d have to move it again.

Franco watched her, face flushed, eyes red and shining with frustration, still shoving against a cabinet nearly as tall as she was.

His jaw was tight as he crossed the room, wrapped his hand around her arm, and pulled her against his chest. With his other hand, he gripped the side of the cabinet and slid it aside like it weighed nothing. His gaze moved over her face, taking in her humiliation and anger.

“Are you really making all this fuss with those noodle arms?”

Petty glared up at him, all fight draining out in a second. “Why don’t you go find your precious Laura? Just get out of my face.”

“She’s not ‘my Laura,’” Franco replied, his dark eyes never leaving hers.

Petty let out a dry, bitter laugh. “Like I care.”

“Watch your mouth.”

“Oh, you hate hearing the truth?” Petty shot back, lifting her chin. “Screw you! You’re an absolute bastard, the worst kind of—”

“Shut up.” Franco’s hand closed around her jaw, just gentle enough not to hurt, but firm enough that the rest of her words came out as garbled muffled noises.

It didn’t stop her. Even then, she kept trying to curse him out.

As she spoke, he tightened his grip around her waist, holding her there, but she didn’t struggle.

“I’m exhausted,” Petty said, her voice suddenly calm. “I can’t keep doing this. I have no idea what’s going on in your head, but can we just talk? Really talk, for once.”

“What do you want to talk about?” He brought the cup of water up to her lips again.

Petty hesitated, staring at the steam rising between them. This time, she didn’t fight it, just lowered her head and took a small sip.

She was so quiet. She didn’t yell or argue, but somehow that made Franco’s gaze even darker.

Once she’d had a drink, he finally set the cup aside. Before she could speak, he said quietly, “Come away with me for a couple days. If you want to talk, I’ll listen to everything you have to say.”

She gave a short, sharp laugh, almost bitter. “How can you say that to me with a straight face? Do you really think I trust you at all anymore?”