"Then we’ll come over this afternoon." Koa Jackson didn’t hesitate much and agreed right away.
"Alright." Denver Petal said readily, "You drive over first, give me a call when you’re almost here."
"Okay." Koa Jackson hung up.
The car got back on the road. He thought for a bit, then said to Mia Ginger, "Let’s not go home first. We’ll go to the mall and buy some things, then go straight to the Petal Family when we’re done. What do you think?"
"I’ll just go with whatever you say." Mia Ginger curved her lips into a smile at him.
Koa Jackson let out a low laugh. One hand on the steering wheel, the other reached over to ruffle her hair twice.
The weather was hot. Mia Ginger had taken a shower after lunch before going out, so her hair still wasn’t dry and she hadn’t tied it up in a ponytail. After he messed it up a couple of times, it instantly got even more unruly. She muttered gloomily, "I didn’t bring a comb."
"It looks pretty good just hanging down like this." Koa Jackson glanced at her and said with a smile.
Mia Ginger raised her hands and swept the hair on both sides back behind her ears. "Then do you think I look better with long hair or short hair?"
Koa Jackson pinched her nose. "They both look good."
"Which one is prettier?" Mia Ginger pressed him, refusing to let it go.
"They’re both very pretty."
Mia Ginger: "..."
Why did that sound so half‑hearted?
She pouted and stopped talking to Koa Jackson, just sat in her seat fiddling with her hair.
Catching sight of how bored she looked out of the corner of his eye, the corners of Koa Jackson’s mouth couldn’t help but curve up slightly, and his eyes seemed to be filled with laughter.
Three‑thirty in the afternoon.
The two of them arrived at the mall.
They spent over half an hour walking around, bought quite a few gifts, and then headed to the Petal Family.
They arrived at five o’clock.
Koa Jackson got out of the car and made a call. Denver Petal came out to meet them. Seeing their hands full of bags, he couldn’t help but look a bit amused and exasperated. "Didn’t I say you were just coming over for a meal? What are you doing bringing so many things?"
"Just a little token of appreciation." Koa Jackson said with a faint smile.
Mia Ginger tilted her head and said, "Yeah, those are for Uncle and Auntie, and these are for Sister Olivia and the little baby. There’s nothing for you."
Denver Petal: "..."
Koa Jackson shot her a look, half annoyed. "What kind of way is that to talk, no respect for your elders at all."
"I was just joking with Brother Petal." Mia Ginger’s face immediately fell. She pursed her lips and shot him a look.
The way the two of them were bickering made Denver Petal laugh again. He reached out to take the things from Mia Ginger’s hands and said as they walked, "Good thing I know you two are a married couple. Otherwise at first glance you’re more like brother and sister."
Mia Ginger complained, "Brother Jackson likes to lecture people."
"Haha." Denver Petal couldn’t help laughing. "You’re already married and you still call him Brother Jackson. You never thought about changing how you address him?"
Change how she addressed him?
Mia Ginger froze for a moment, then glanced at Koa Jackson.
Koa Jackson happened to be looking at her too.
Mia Ginger’s face flushed red. She scooted over to Koa Jackson’s side, hugged his arm, and asked in a low voice, "Is it bad if I call you Brother Jackson?"
"It’s pretty good." Koa Jackson pressed his lips together, smiling.
"I can’t change it."
"I know." Koa Jackson’s smile stayed light.
Never mind her not being able to change it; he was already used to hearing it himself, and it felt pretty nice.
He shifted all the bags from both hands into one, and used his other hand to hold Mia Ginger’s as they walked inside together.
——
First floor, in the living room.
Olivia Williams also knew the two of them were coming over. She had just set a fruit platter down on the coffee table when she heard footsteps.
"Sister Olivia." Mia Ginger called out as soon as she saw her.
As soon as she called out, Mother Petal came out from the kitchen as well, smiling as she said, "You must be roasting. The sun’s been vicious these past few days. Hurry and sit down on the sofa. Olivia just cut some fruit—have some to cool off."