Page 55 of Laws of Love
When he got into the car, he headed to their next destination. There was a deli about twenty minutes away that served some of the best pie he’d ever had. He would take her there for lunch, and if he could coax her into giving him more of her time that day, he planned to pick her up later that evening and take her to dinner.
Knox followed Yasmine into the condo the following Friday afternoon, after spending the morning at the museum and zoo.She’d spent the first few days of her spring break with his parents, and over the last few, he’d taken her somewhere each day.Yasmine skipped off down the hall to put away the stuffed animal she’d gotten at the zoo, and Knox went into the kitchen to take something out for dinner.
Yasmine returned a couple of minutes later and climbed onto a stool as Knox placed the meat in the sink to thaw
“Daddy, is Ms. Aiva still going bike riding with us tomorrow?”Knox had told her that morning when he picked her up from Mia’s and it seemed his daughter wanted to make sure nothing had changed in the last few hours.
“She is. She’s meeting us at the park down the street.”
“What time?”
“At noon.”
“Okay. I can’t wait!” Yasmine exclaimed, bouncing with excitement in her seat.
Knox wasn’t surprised that she was excited. He hadn’t been exaggerating when he told Aiva his daughter had almost immediately asked about the next time they would see her. He was glad Yasmine seemed to like Aiva.
His goal had been to wait a few more months before introducing them to one another. But they’d run into each other at the grocery store and he couldn’t bring himself not to speak. Then, when they’d bumped into Aiva and her sister atChuck E. Cheese,it felt like fate was trying to tell him something. So, he’d go with it, and if things happened to not work out, he would deal with the consequences of jumping the gun.
“Is she going to spend the day with us?” Yasmine inquired.
“I don’t think so, Yas. We don’t want to take up her whole day, but maybe we can get lunch together if she has time.”
“Yeah, okay. I’m sure she’ll want to. Riding bikes can make you hungry.” Knox chuckled at how seriously the statement was said as he nodded in agreement. “Can we do another piano lesson?”
“Sure, kiddo,” Knox responded, going around the bar and picking her up. He sat at the keyboard with her in his lap. “Do you remember what we worked on last time?”
“Twinkle, Twinkle,” Yasmine responded, immediately bringing her hands up to play the children’s song.
With her gymnastics instructor taking the next several months off for maternity leave, she’d asked Knox to give her piano lessons. He figured she was used to having an activity two days after school, and every other Saturday morning. She was enthusiastic to learn, and Knox had no problem teaching her. It was more quality time they got to spend together. Yasmine had also gotten his determination, and she picked up on what he taught her quickly. Knox decided he’d teach her something a little more challenging for the current lesson.
Knox opened the door later that night and stepped aside to let Ezra enter. His friend had called him twenty minutes ago, asking if he could stop by and discuss something with him.
“Hey,” Ezra greeted. “Sorry to stop by this late, but I got a call about something I wanted to run past you.”
“It’s fine,” Knox responded. It was almost nine o’clock and he would be up for the next few hours. So it wasn’t like the other man was keeping him awake.
“Where’s Yas?” Ezra asked as they went into the living room.
“She’s getting ready for bed.” Knox muted the television. “What did you want to talk to me about?”
“I’m sure you’ve heard the buzz about your pending Hall of Fame induction.”
Knox had heard it, but he’d paid no mind to it. He hadn’t been retired long enough for that to happen, so there was no point in listening to baseless rumors.
“I have, but I haven’t been retired long enough yet.”
“Which is why I said pending. Anyway, because of that buzz, I got a call from two separate brands. One is launching a new fragrance for men and the other sleepwear, and would like you to participate in their campaigns.”
“Would it not make more sense for them to get someone who is currently playing?” Knox asked.
“Maybe, but both products will launch around the same time next year as the announcement for the Hall of Fame candidates. They can ride the wave. On top of that, you’re still one of the most searched players, and you’ve been trending on social media,” Ezra explained.
“Which is probably because of my divorce.”
“Okay, yes, but that just means ladies know you’re single, and statistically, women buy more cologne and sleepwear as gifts than men buy for themselves. It makes you the perfect candidate. As your agent, I think it’s a great opportunity, but the decision is yours.”
Knox hummed. “Do they need an answer right away?”
