As Emily hurriedly finished dressing and dashed downstairs, she nearly collided with Jackson, who was on his way up to find her. He wrapped his arms around her, a bright, hopeful smile on his face. “What’s the rush?” Adam had been urgent on the phone, saying the Great Wall Group's representatives were about to land. With at least an hour’s drive from her place to the airport, how could she not be anxious? “Jackson…” Emily started, guilt creeping in. “Hey, don’t give me that guilty look! I’m your boyfriend; it’s normal for a boyfriend to wait for his girlfriend. Wow, you look amazing today! Did you dress up just for me?” Faced with his excited gaze, Emily found it hard to say she had to leave at the last minute. But… Adam had been good to her, and being the only New Yorker in the company meant she was the best choice for this task. “Um, Jackson…” she hesitated. He steadied her, holding her hands to warm them. “Your hands are freezing! Here, let me warm them up.” He tucked her hands under his arms, the heat slowly spreading through her fingers. “By the way, what are you planning to cook today? I’ll go with you to the supermarket; I haven’t been in ages. How about we make dumplings together?” Emily nodded, but her expression was anxious. “I can do that, I promise! But I have to handle some work first. Can you wait a couple of hours?” Jackson’s smile faltered, his face falling. “It’s the weekend! Today is your day off; you have every right to say no!” She knew his temper all too well and softened her tone. “I want to say no, but it’s a New York client. I’m the only one who comes from New York. It’s unavoidable. Look, once I pick them up and take them to the office, I’ll rush over to cook for you. Is that okay?” Jackson was reluctant but her tone was too sweet for him to snap. Still, he felt uneasy. “Emily.” “Yeah?” “You have to promise me that you’ll make up for this time later.” She sighed with relief. “Sure! Whatever you want, just name it. I’ll make it for you, deal?”His expression brightened slightly, though he still sounded grumpy. “Alright, you’re a working woman now, and I can’t hold back your career. Fine, I’ll let it go this time. Let’s go; I’ll drive you.” “It’s not the office; it’s the airport. I’m picking someone up.” “The airport?” Emily nodded. “Yes, their flight should be landing soon. The company’s local support had some issues, so I need to go.” Jackson frowned. “You’re going alone? They didn’t send anyone else with you?” Emily laughed lightly. “I’ll just be picking someone up; it doesn’t need a crowd. Plus, it’s the weekend; everyone’s resting…” “Everyone else’s weekend is their weekend, but yours isn’t. My weekend is getting sacrificed too.” He crossed his arms, looking down at her. “You’re too accommodating. If anyone needs help, you jump right in. Emily, you need to change that approach. Let others handle their own messes; if they screw up, let them deal with it. You should learn to say no.” She saw his point but this wasn’t the time for a discussion; she needed to get to the airport quickly. “Adam’s been good to me, and since I just started, building relationships with colleagues and bosses is important. Let’s just say I owe you this one. You go ahead and buy the ingredients; I’ll come right over once I finish at the office, okay?” Jackson sighed, his heart aching for her. “Fine, but this is the last time. It’s a long way to the airport, and you still have to take the client back to the office. I’ll let it slide today, but next time, don’t leave me hanging!” “I promise, there won’t be a next time!” “Get in the car; I’ll drive you to the airport.” Emily waved her hand dismissively. “I can go by myself. It doesn’t make sense to bring my boyfriend to pick someone up.” Though she refused, Jackson was clearly pleased with her calling him “boyfriend,” his smile broadening. “You just said it doesn’t make sense to bring someone, right?” Emily rolled her eyes, playing along with his childish game. “Boyfriend, happy now?” “Not quite; you said it too softly. I didn’t hear you—say it again. Who am I to you?”She playfully punched his shoulder. “Boyfriend, boyfriend, boyfriend—important things should be said three times!” Jackson beamed, practically floating with joy. “Alright, sacrificing a meal for that line was worth it. As your boyfriend, I won’t hold you back. Now go!” Emily responded with a quick, “Okay!” as she darted towards the door. But he grabbed her arm, pulling her into a warm embrace. Jackson buried his face in her shoulder, sounding pitiful. “Be safe out there; it’s snowing.” “...I know, and you drive carefully too.” “Can I steal a kiss? Just one?” Emily felt her cheeks flush. “Stop it! I really have to go; I’ll be late otherwise!” She pushed him away and ran out. The wind carried his voice after her: “Emily, I will kiss you eventually!” Waving for a taxi, she jumped in and slammed the door shut, leaving the cold and his voice behind. Yet her heart felt warm. “Ma’am, where to?” “The airport, please. And can you hurry? I can pay extra.”