The Last Time I Cried Your Name novel Chapter 196

"I don’t have a home in Cabinda anymore."

As soon as she said it, Petty let out a long sigh and seemed to relax, but anyone watching could see her eyes were a bit red. When she sighed, her lips trembled. She looked like a lost kitten, abandoned with nowhere to go.

Malcom just watched her quietly, deep brown eyes swirling with emotion. His hand at his side clenched hard, fingertips tapping silently on his phone as he typed out a message.

"Starting fresh somewhere else might be good. Have you decided where you’ll go?"

Petty had just called Nash yesterday. Internal news about her application would arrive within a week, tops. According to Nash, it was basically guaranteed.

"Everell. The foreign correspondent bureau," she answered.

Malcom’s eyes widened for a split second before he pulled himself together, typing quickly, "That place is in the middle of a war. It’s dangerous."

Petty’s eyes sparkled with determination. "That’s why I picked it. I want to be a war correspondent."

She smiled and gave Malcom’s arm a light smack. "So you need to teach me well, okay?"

Malcom glanced at her, taking in the confidence in her eyes, the shadow of something much deeper flickering in his own gaze. He swallowed, the movement of his throat betraying something he didn’t say aloud.

He typed back. "You really do need to learn. Let’s do it right."

"And you have to keep my secret," Petty said, lowering her voice a little. "Don’t tell Aaron, at least not until the results are out."

Malcom tapped out a reply. "I won’t tell anyone."

. . .

Christmas was right around the corner.

Petty was about to answer, but across the way, Harris’s father called out for him. Harris pressed her shoulder, reassuring. "I’ll come find you in a bit."

"You go ahead," Petty said, smiling as she started to take off the scarf. "Oh, Harris, your scarf. I’m really not cold, I promise."

She handed it back, her expression easy and straightforward, not awkward in the least.

Harris looked at her, smiling softly. She hadn’t missed the meaning behind his gesture. She was just too kind—and too smart—to make it awkward.

He took the scarf and held it tight but didn’t push her.

Petty joined her colleague and boarded the cruise ship, Aaron trailing a few steps behind. She’d been worried about the interview and assumed Aaron wouldn’t be allowed to come along, but he’d told her that Harris had sent him an invitation, too. That way, he could keep an eye on her during the trip.

On their way up a set of stairs, Petty caught sight of Harris talking to his father. She couldn’t catch what they were saying, but Harris’s dad did not look pleased.