My Great Escape Led Me to You (Emily Blair) novel Chapter 1045

If Emily didn’t take the gift, Andrew was just going to stand out there and wait all night. She could see it in his eyes, stubborn and determined, and her patience was wearing thin.

“Mr. Lane, have I not made myself clear? I have a boyfriend. I need you to stop showing up like this. I don’t want this, and I don’t want you hanging around,” she said, her voice edged with frustration.

Andrew just looked at her, not bothered at all. “If you take it, I’ll leave you alone tonight.”

She let out a cold laugh. “I’m not taking it. Take it back with you.”

He shrugged, completely unfazed. “If you’re not going to take it, then you should just go upstairs and get some sleep. It’s late.”

Emily frowned harder. “You know it’s late, so why are you still waiting out here? How am I supposed to sleep with you standing outside?”

He looked almost apologetic. “Sorry. Am I making you uncomfortable? Just pretend I’m not here. I won’t bother you.”

He pressed his lips together, still holding the gift bag out, looking like he wouldn’t budge an inch until she accepted it.

When did Andrew get so stubborn? She felt her temper flare up and turned away, ready to leave, but only managed a few steps before she stopped. If he really stayed out here all night, she’d never fall asleep, and she had work in the morning.

Emily closed her eyes and sighed. Fine. This gift was his problem, not hers. She’d just take it and send him on his way, then she could forget about it.

She turned back to find Andrew still standing there, arm outstretched. Emily grabbed the bag from him. “Alright. I have it. Now please go home, and don’t wait out here.”

A smile broke across Andrew’s face as he finally dropped his arm. “Okay. Go get some rest. I’m leaving now.”

Emily was still annoyed and didn’t bother saying goodbye. She turned and walked away.

Andrew watched her until she disappeared inside, then finally went back to his car and drove off.

Emma hesitated. “The one in the living room. It’s not yours?”

Emily frowned. “What ring in the living room?”

Emma said, “The one on the coffee table. You didn’t see it when you left this morning?”

Emily tried to remember. She was sure she didn’t own any rings like that. “I didn’t see anything.”

Emma sounded anxious. “It was in the bag you left out. It’s not mine, so it has to be yours. Unless… did someone sneak in and leave it here?!”

Then it hit her. The gift bag Andrew had insisted she take last night.