Page 37 of Laws of Love
“Even the little girl Meila’s holding?”
“Yes, that’s Kayley. She was six at the time. She’s nine now.”
Aiva looked at the picture one more time. She was sure it was the only one all the siblings had taken together. Mainly because someone was always missing when they had gatherings their father attended. Usually, that person was her.
“I’m ready if you are,” she stated.
“After you, gorgeous.”
She led them out of the front door, locking it behind them. Once outside, Knox placed his hand on the small of her back and steered her toward the passenger seat of his car. He opened the door for her before going around to the driver’s side. Aiva put her clutch in the door's pocket and put her seatbelt on.
When Knox was behind the wheel, he backed out of her driveway, and she turned to him, inquiring where they were going, but he told her it was a surprise. She’d never been the biggest fan of surprises, partially because what other people thought was exciting, she usually didn’t, and partially because she disliked being in the dark about something that concerned or involved her, and surprises did just that. However, she would try to wait until they got to where they were going.
She enjoyed the soft sound of jazz playing as they drove. She was a big fan of jazz music, had quite a collection, and was constantly adding to it, or one of her siblings was for her birthday or Christmas.
They pulled in front of a building twenty minutes later, and Aiva furrowed her brow, looking at it. The outside looked minimalistic and modern, but she wasn’t sure what it was. Knox got out, opening her door for her, and she removed her seatbelt, grabbed her clutch from the door, and took the hand he offered.
When they entered the lobby, she immediately knew they were in an apartment building. He led her to an elevator, and they rode it to the fourth floor before stepping off. She thought maybe he’d brought her to his place, which was presumptuous of him, but he led her to a door marked stairs. He took her hand as they walked up them.
He keyed in a code, she heard a beep, and he pushed the door open. As soon as she stepped onto the roof, Aiva was stunned by the sight before her. Right in the middle was a glass dome; string lights lined the supports along the arches. A table sat within it. Tea light candles floating within the glass centerpiece filled halfway with what she assumed was water, and a single lavender rose in front of one of the place settings.
From the top of the dome, more string lights traveled out to the posts a few feet away. To the right, there were two chefs preparing dinner, the delicious smells carrying to them on the breeze.
Knox placed his hand on the small of her back and steered her toward the dome. He pulled her chair out, and she sat, picking up the rose and bringing it to her nose before sitting it near the edge of the table.
“This is…I don’t even have words. It’s not what I expected, but in the best way.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
“I have a question. We are on the roof of an apartment building, right?”
“We are. It was zoned commercial originally. I bought it a few years ago and turned it into short-term and long-term rentals. Believe it or not, this was a greenhouse, but several of the panes were missing, and almost all the plants had died. I had no idea what I wanted to do with it once we got it cleaned up, so it just sat here.”
“Wait, so it hasn’t always been like this?”
“No. This happened after I left your office a few days ago.”
Aiva let his words sink in. He’d done this specifically for her. Naturally, she hadn’t thought chefs stood up there all-day cooking, but she’d figured it was something that came along with the complex as an amenity to the tenants. His setting it up for her made her smile, and she felt this warmth blossom in her stomach.
The male chef came over with two wine glasses and a bottle of wine chilling in a bucket. He poured them each a glass, leaving the bucket and bottle and telling them their first course would be out soon. Aiva smiled in thanks before taking a drink of the white wine and turning her attention back to Knox.
“That was really sweet of you,” she stated, picking back up on the conversation they’d been having. “And you’re clearly trying to ruin me for all other dates.”
“All other dates with men that aren’t me, yes,” he responded, smirking at her, but she got the impression that he was not kidding.
Knox wiped his mouth with his napkin, placing it aside before picking up one of the mints on the small tray that had just been left on their table. He watched Aiva drink the last of her wine as she sat back in her chair. The conversation had flowed easily as they’d eaten, and she’d laughed at his dad jokes while playfully calling him corny.
“I’m stuffed,” she announced, taking the other mint. “Five courses were too much.”
“I didn’t make you eat them, gorgeous.”
“No, you didn’t, but how was I supposed to say no when it all looked and smelled so delicious?”
He chuckled, shaking his head. “I’ll keep that in mind next time.”
They were alone now. The private chefs he’d hired exited a moment ago. He’d given them the use of one of the short-term rentals to hang out in until he and Aiva left.
Knox had been admiring her all night, but now he took in every inch of her. Drank in her entire being as she sat across from him, brown skin glowing under the soft light, her natural hair thick, free, framing her face. The color of her dress complemented the smooth richness of her skin. She was absolutely breathtaking, and that they vibed well was a bonus.
