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.

Once upstairs, Emily barely glanced at the gift bag before tossing it onto the coffee table. She went straight to her bedroom. Even with an umbrella, the rain had still managed to get her a little wet, so she changed into dry clothes and slipped into bed.

She cued up one of those sleep meditation videos and eventually managed to drift off.

The next morning, she was up early, long before Emma. After getting ready, she fixed herself a quick breakfast, left some out for Emma, and headed out the door. She didn't even look at the bag on the coffee table.

Work was hectic, with the Albert Rivera situation and all the self-driving project deadlines, and Emily barely had a moment to breathe. It wasn't until just before clocking out that she noticed Emma had called her several times.

She called back as she slid into her car. Emma picked up right away.

As traffic started to move, Emily asked, "What's going on? You called me a bunch of times."

Emma's voice dropped to a whisper, like she was sharing gossip. "What's the story with that ring?"

Emily blinked, totally lost. "What ring? I don't have a ring."

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.