"Oh... I get it. Go ahead. Be safe on the road."
Victoria’s expression was a little off. She nodded, but her eyes didn’t quite match the smile she forced onto her face.
"Come back early tonight."
The second the words left her mouth she remembered~tonight she was still supposed to give Jason those private "lessons." The thought should have made her feel useful. Instead a sharp little ache settled under her ribs. If she taught him too well... if the still-inexperienced Jason actually learned how to handle women... would he turn around and start chasing Emma for real?
The possibility left a sour taste she didn’t want to examine.
"Got it! We’ll be back after the movie!" Emma called cheerfully, completely missing the complicated look on her mother’s face.
Jason noticed it, of course. The shift in Victoria’s mood was subtle but clear. He simply chose not to address it. Let her overthink. A little distance, a little warmth, a little ambiguity~never fully stepping forward, never fully pulling away~was often more effective than any direct comfort. People filled in the blanks themselves.
The two of them stepped out into the cool evening air. Jason swung a leg over the motorcycle. Emma settled behind him, arms sliding naturally around his waist. Her cheeks were already pink. The engine hummed to life and they pulled away from the curb, the wind soft against their faces as the bike carried them toward the hospital.
They talked easily the whole way~light, laughing, the kind of comfortable conversation that made the ride feel shorter than it was.
When they walked into Sarah’s room, she was propped up against the pillows with a book. The moment she saw them her face lit up. Jason looked sharp and steady; Emma looked soft and elegant in the white dress. Standing side by side they made a striking pair.
Sarah’s smile widened. Maybe her son was finally waking up. She had met Olivia once and disliked her on sight~something about the girl had always felt calculating. She had never gotten the chance to warn Jason before she got sick. Seeing him now with Emma made something hopeful loosen in her chest. She was already halfway to imagining future holidays and small grandchildren.
"Mom, time to eat," Jason said, setting the containers neatly on the bedside table.
Emma stepped closer, voice gentle. "Aunt Sarah, let me."
She picked up a spoon, carefully blew on the food until it was cool, and held it out. Jason sat on the other side of the bed and started peeling an apple with quiet, precise movements.
The older woman in the next bed watched them with open envy.
"Shu~Sarah, I’m jealous. A son who shows up and a girl this sweet looking after you. My kids just argue about whose turn it is to visit."
Sarah laughed softly, clearly pleased. "This one only started behaving after I got sick. Before that he was impossible." She glanced at Emma, who didn’t correct her and only lowered her eyes, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.
That blush told Sarah everything she needed to know. Emma liked her son. The realization made her turn toward Jason with sudden maternal authority.
"Jason."
He looked up, still holding the half-peeled apple. "Yeah, Mom?"
"Emma is a wonderful girl. You treat her right from now on, you hear me?"
Jason felt the corner he had been maneuvered into. He had planned to keep things light and noncommittal, but his mother had just dropped the full weight of her expectations on him in front of everyone.
"Of course," he said smoothly. "Emma’s... special. Whoever ends up with her is going to be a lucky guy."
The words were careful~warm enough to satisfy his mother, vague enough to keep his own options open.
Sarah gave a satisfied nod. "That’s better."
Emma bit her lower lip, clearly uncomfortable with the sudden pressure. She did like Jason, but she didn’t want him scolded into liking her back. She wanted to earn it herself.
"Aunt Sarah, don’t be hard on him. He’s always been good to me..."
Her voice was soft, almost shy. Anyone who knew the usual Emma~the sharp, decisive version that professors and classmates respected~would have been shocked. Only in front of Jason and his mother did she let this gentler side show.
Sarah sighed, looking at Emma with open sympathy. "You’ve been patient with him. My son can be painfully slow about these things."
She had already asked Victoria to give him some private guidance. She only hoped the lessons would take.
Emma stole another glance at Jason, face still warm. "It’s okay..."
Jason kept his attention on the apple, the picture of calm focus.
When the food was finished, Sarah smiled at both of them.
"Thank you for coming. Drive carefully tonight, all right?"
"We will," they answered together.
They left the hospital and rode the short distance to a busy pedestrian street lined with lights and food stalls. The air smelled of grilled meat, fried dough, and sweet drinks. People moved in lazy evening currents around them.
Emma tipped her head up to look at him, eyes bright with quiet excitement.
"The movie doesn’t start until ten. It’s still early... want to walk around and get some snacks first?"
Jason smiled. "Yeah. I could eat more anyway."
Emma’s heart gave a small, secret jump. She had chosen the late showing on purpose~so they would have time like this beforehand.
As they started down the brightly lit street, the familiar mechanical voice sounded in Jason’s mind.
[Ding!]
[Mission Complete]
[Mission: Have a pleasant date with Emma Reed]
[Reward: $5,000]
A second later his phone vibrated with the bank notification. The deposit had already landed. His balance climbed past ten thousand.
Jason slipped the phone back into his pocket, the corner of his mouth curling slightly.
The night was only getting started.