Page 64 of Laws of Love
Knox took her hand, and they began down the sidewalk. They walked in comfortable silence as they walked around other people, enjoying the evening. They’d walked several blocks when a small group of young men approached them. Aiva figured they were late teens or barely in their twenties.
“Sorry to interrupt, but we had to come over,” one stated.
“You’re one of our favorite players,” another said.
“I appreciate that,” Knox responded.
“We were wondering if we could get a picture,” a different one spoke.
“Normally, I would, but I’m—”
“It’s okay,” Aiva stated, cutting him off. She was sure he would decline because of her, but she didn’t mind. She was sure it would be an occurrence she had to get used to while they dated. “I’ll take it for you,” she volunteered, holding her hand out, and one of the young men placed a phone in it.
“Are you sure, baby?” Knox questioned, and Aiva nodded as she stepped away to allow the young men to gather around him. She took a few pictures before handing the phone back to its owner.
“Thank you,” he stated. “Sorry again for the interruption. Have a good night.”
The four left them, and Knox retook her hand. “I apologize for that.”
Aiva looked up at him as they began walking again. “Why?”
Knox raised a brow at her. “Because we’re out together, and you’re supposed to have my attention.”
“And I do. You don’t need to apologize for something you can’t control, and I won’t be upset if you sign autographs or take pictures with fans. It would be unrealistic for me to think you’ll never get approached and selfish of me to expect you to ignore people who supported you during your career. It comes along with dating you, and while I hadn’t had to deal with it until tonight, I knew it was a possibility.”
Knox stopped walking and pulled her to stand in front of him. He leaned down and kissed her. Aiva wasn’t sure why, but she wouldn’t question it. As he kissed her slowly, she was well aware that they were standing in the middle of the sidewalk, and she was sure people were looking at them, but she didn’t care.
When they pulled apart, he continued down the sidewalk as if he hadn’t just stolen her breath with that kiss. Aiva wanted to know why what she’d said elicited that response from him, but she decided not to ask. Instead, she would enjoy the rest of the night with him.
Knox entered his parent’s house with a bouquet and a gift bag. He’d dropped Yasmine off with Mia, who would take her to school on Monday where he’d pick her up. He found his mother sitting on the couch in the living room. She smiled when he walked in.
“Hey, son.”
“Hey, Mom. Happy Mother’s Day.”
She took the bouquet from him, bringing the flowers to her nose as she walked into the kitchen. Knox followed behind her. He didn’t bother asking where his father was because he knew the older man was getting the things he needed for his Mother’s Day surprise in order. While he took his mother out to lunch, his father would get everything set up. Knox didn’t know what he had planned, but he was sure his mother would enjoy it.
“How was Mia when you dropped Yas off?” his mother asked as she took out a vase.
“I don’t know. Aside from reminding her she was taking Yas to school tomorrow, I didn’t say much to her.”
“I know that the two of you didn’t have the best marriage, and you’re glad you’re divorced. I am too, but she’s still Yas’ mom, and I didn’t raise you to be disrespectful. So, don’t be to her.”
“I wasn’t, and I don’t plan to be. I’m preserving my peace by not engaging with her when I don’t have to.”
He no longer had to deal with it and wasn’t going to. They could communicate about their daughter without having to fake pleasantries or speak for any other reason. He had no intention of being rude to Mia because he would never want Yasmine to see that, but he no longer had to deal with her when he didn’t want to. He didn’t want that energy and definitely didn’t want to drag it into his new relationship inadvertently.
Knox knew that dating Aiva would be different. That being with her would be the polar opposite of what he had with Mia, regardless of the short time they’d been dating, but she constantly showed him what he was missing in his last relationship, even when she didn’t realize she was doing it.
Last night, when they’d been out, and she hadn’t been upset about his fans approaching them and her volunteering to take the picture, were more reminders of something he hadn’t had.
Mia, though she knew his profession would draw attention to him, never liked when they were approached while they were out. She always let it be known whether it was to the person who’d come up to them or him after signing an autograph, taking a picture, or having a conversation when he was supposed to be giving her his undivided attention.
He brought his attention back to the present as his mother placed the vase, now housing the flowers, in the middle of the island. Knox put the gift bag on the island.
“I told you not to get me anything.”
“I know. You tell me every year, and I haven’t listened once. I’m not sure why you think I’m going to.”
