Love's Tangled Web by Donna Taylor

Chapter 21

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Ellie finally understood and shook her head. “No, I don’t. I’m just not used to wearing this kind of stuff,” she said, slipping the gift into Alex’s bag when he wasn’t looking, then turned to walk away.

But she didn’t get far before Alex caught up. “Since you helped me pick a gift, I’ll treat you to dinner, he said, grabbing her arm and leading her to his sports car. “After dinner, pack up your things and move back home with me,”

He then opened the gift box from his bag, took out the platinum bracelet, and put it on Ellie’s wrist. “Wear it when you’re not working You’ll get used to it, he warned.

The bracelet’s smooth texture perfectly complemented Ellie’s soft wrist, adding a subtle sparkle to her reserved nature, as if it was made just for her.

“Doesn’t it look good?” Alex asked, satisfied as he let go of her hand.

Ellie felt awkward and tried to remove the bracelet, but stopped when she caught Alex’s warning glance.

The car came to a stop after a few minutes, and Ellie thought they had finally arrived at the restaurant. Alex’s anxious voice broke through. “Tll take you out next time; just hurry and

get

on the seatbelt. Following Alex’s gaze, she spotted Haley standing by the traffic light, chatting away

fixing his hair in the rearview mirror.

she could

of Haley and got out

Alex had kicked her out of the front seat. She knew there

tears prick at her eyes, Ellie removed the platinum bracelet from her wrist. This was not a real gift, no matter how much

Haley called from behind her. She turned to see Haley approaching,

Alex there, she felt like she couldn’t say a word. “Oh, Ellie, didn’t you say you wanted to try that matcha cake? Lets go, my treat,” Alex

let Alex treat us today,” Haley added, trying to lighten the mood,

herself being pulled across the street by Haley to

a few days ago, Haley had been totally uninterested in

1/2

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car game is

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Chapter 21

to sit beside her, with Alex taking a seat across from them.

over the menu, and Alex passed it to Haley.