Page 106 of Laws of Love
When they made it to his condo, a young woman sat at his dining table with a couple of books spread around her. Aiva placed her in her early twenties and figured she was preparing for the upcoming college semester. Knox introduced them as he paid her, and once they were alone, he went to check on Yasmine, who was in bed. Aiva sat on the couch and was scrolling through channels when he returned.
“Is she okay?”
“Yep. She’s out like a light.”
“Did she have fun celebrating the end of the first week yesterday?” she asked, settling on some procedural drama and giving him her full attention. They texted about it briefly the night before.
“She did. We did all the usual things.”
Aiva raised a brow at him. “But? Did something happen with Mia?”
“It was good, mostly. We talked before she left.”
Aiva nodded. She wouldn’t push. If it were something he wanted to talk to her about, then she would listen and support him. If it wasn’t, she was okay with that, too. She didn’t feel he needed to tell her everything that went on between him and his ex-wife because some things weren’t her business, especially if those included Yasmine.
It wasn’t like she didn’t trust them to be alone together. She didn’t need to be with him if she didn’t trust him. She’d also seen what Mia had put him through during their divorce proceedings, and she didn’t see him freeing himself and then spinning the block.
“She thought I was trying to replace her in Yas’ life. With you.”
“That’s ridiculous,” Aiva stated before she could stop herself. “You would never do that, and if I thought you were, I’d never allow you to. I’ve only seen them interact once, but it’s clear that she loves Yas.” Even if it seemed more like a big sister than a maternal one. “And Yas feels the same. They share a bond that I have no intention of coming between. If anything, I want to help foster that bond. Especially now that Yas’ living situation is different.”
“I know, baby, and I told her that. By the end of the conversation, we’d come to an understanding.”
“Even if you didn’t, as long as it didn’t ruin the day for Yas, I’m sure you’ll figure it out eventually,” Aiva responded. “You want to watch a movie?” She changed the subject.
“Sure.”
She picked up the remote as Knox pulled her to him and resumed flipping through the channels.
“Yas is in the other room,” Aiva stated, grabbing Knox’s wrist later that night as his hand attempted to slip into the boxers she’d borrowed from him.
“Yes, but she’s asleep.” He leaned in and kissed her neck before placing his lips next to her ear. “And I promise not to take all night.”
“You know I can’t be quiet.”
Knox chuckled. “You’ve got me there, baby.” He kissed her before rolling onto his back and pulling her to him. Aiva laid her head on his chest as he turned off the bedside lamp. “You know, at some point, we’ll have to work on you being quiet.”
She rolled her eyes in the dark but responded, “We will not be doing that when we can get caught.” He chuckled, and she was tempted to bite him. “Go to sleep.”
“Goodnight, gorgeous.”
“Goodnight.”
When Yasmine came in half an hour later, having woken up from a bad dream and settled between them, Aiva threw Knox a “see what could have happened” look before he turned the lamp back off, and they settled into sleep.
43
Aiva was excited and nervous. Knox’s birthday was Sunday, and she’d planned the entire weekend for them. She’d called his mom and asked if she minded watching Yasmine Friday and Saturday night, and they would pick her up on Sunday, his actual birthday, and have a picnic together. She was excited because it’d been a while since she’d planned something special for someone she was dating, but that was also why she was nervous. She wanted him to enjoy it.It was the first birthday between them as a couple.
Thirty-five wasn’t as big a milestone as other birthdays, but she also got the feeling, or maybe it was an assumption from her conversation with Mia about the other woman not liking to plan things, that she hadn’t for him.
They would spend the weekend at his condo. Aiva wanted him to be in a space that was comfortable for him all weekend. Not that she thought he would be uncomfortable at her place, but there was nothing like your space. The night before she packed a bag and the gift she’d gotten him. She was heading to his condo after getting off a little earlier than usual.
She was taking him out for dinner that night, which she’d enlisted her sisters’ help for. She was excited about the following day as well. They’d probably be tired afterward, but as long as he enjoyed it, she wouldn’t mind.
Aiva knocked on his door when she made it to his condo, and she didn’t have to wait long for him to let her in. He kissed her as she passed, taking her bag from her.
“I missed you,” he said, closing the door.
