Page 105 of Laws of Love
“No one’s trying to replace you as Yas’ mother. If anything, Aiva has been instrumental in reminding me that things aren’t always going to be easy between us, but that we have to make sure we put our daughter first. She’s reminded me several times that it doesn’t matter what happens between the three of us as adults; Yas is always the priority.
Hell, when you gave the ultimatum of not coming to Yas’ party if she was there, she didn’t hesitate to tell me she would be fine celebrating with Yas another day because she wanted you there for our daughter. She only sat down with you because Yas was hurt she wouldn’t have you both there.
Does she want what’s best for Yas the same way we do? Yes, but she isn’t trying to replace you because if she were, she wouldn’t think about howyouwould feel if you were left out. I’m not trying to replace you as Yas’ mom. Because yes, I could have celebrated this day without you, but I didn’t and never planned to.”
Mia let out a humorless laugh. “I get it. She’s replacing me for you.”
“No,” Knox responded immediately. “I don’t want her to do that. Her replacing what I had with you would mean that I want the same things I did then, the same type of relationship, and I don’t. I want something more than what we found ourselves having, and I get that with her.” He paused. “I wouldn’t change what we had because it gave us Yas, but I never want that back.”
“You love her.”
“I do.”
“I see.” She cleared her throat and rose from the couch. “I should go.” He walked her to the door, and she paused. “If you don’t have plans with Yas next Saturday, they’re doing the Lion King play at the theater.”
“I’ll have her ready.”
She nodded and exited the condo. Knox locked the door, went to the window, and looked at the parking lot. When Mia got into her vehicle, he returned to the living room and picked up his phone. He debated calling Aiva and talking to her about the conversation he’d just had. It wasn’t so much he thought she needed to know, but the fact was that he didn’t want to keep anything that could be significant from her.
He decided to wait. They would have dinner with her mother tomorrow evening, and he could talk to her afterward.
“Seriously, Mom?” Aiva asked as Knox chuckled beside her.
“What?” her mother asked with a smile. “It isn’t my fault. I knew you’d be a lawyer when you were little. You liked to argue with people too much.”
“Meila enjoyed arguing. I just wasn’t going to let her win without a fight,” Aiva responded with a shrug.
They were at the end of dinner, and it had gone well. Knox had picked her up at six-thirty to have dinner at her mother’s house at seven. Aiva thought it would be best to meet at a restaurant, but her mom insisted on cooking.
“I’ve seen her in action, and it’s more intimidating than argumentative,” Knox stated. “And she’s quite persuasive.”
“Could talk the devil out of his position,” her mother agreed, and the two of them laughed again while Aiva shook her head, smiling at the interaction. She hadn’t been worried about introducing him to her mother. He’d made it past her siblings. From there, it was always easy sailing because her mom only wanted her and Meila to be happy.
As the two continued to talk, Aiva cleared the table and did the dishes. She figured it was the least she could do since her mom made them a delicious dinner. She leaned against the counter half an hour later, watching them interact.
Damn, my man is fine.It wasn’t the first time she’d thought it, and she knew it wouldn’t be the last since the thought struck her at random. It always did when he was casually doing something or when she was watching him in dad mode. She was always very attracted to him, but even more during those times. There was something about it.
Aiva wasn’t one to believe that someone was perfect, but she believed there was a perfect person for everyone. The more time she spent with Knox, the closer they became, the deeper her emotions ran, and she realized he was her perfect person.
They hadn’t spoken about him essentially telling her he loved her. Aiva didn’t know how to bring up the conversation, but she knew she needed time to sort out her feelings before they did. She wanted to know that what she felt for him wasn’t a by-product of her knowing how he felt about her. She didn’t want her emotions to be swayed by his.
It hadn’t taken her long to realize that they weren’t, that she loved him too. She didn’t know when she’d fallen, but she had, and she’d fallen not only in love with him, but she loved his daughter too. Thinking of Yasmine, she glanced at the clock to see that it was almost nine-thirty, and she knew he’d told his sitter he’d be back by ten.
“I hate to cut this short, but you have a sitter to relieve,” Aiva stated, joining them at the table.
“We don’t want you to be late,” her mother responded, standing.
“Thank you for dinner, Janice. It was delicious.”
“Come back anytime,” her mother replied. She walked them to the door, hugged Aiva, and kissed her forehead.
“Am I dropping you off, or are you staying with me tonight?” Knox asked her a few minutes into the drive.
“Do you want me to stay with you tonight?”
He took her hand and kissed the back of it, eyes still on the road. “Always.”
“Then I’m staying with you.”
