Page 72 of Laws of Love
“I don’t believe you!”
Aiva shrugged. “I don’t care what you believe. That’s your prerogative.”
Mia made a noise that Aiva would associate with an angry badger. “My husband and I could have—”
“Ex-husband,” Aiva cut her off, and Mia made that noise again. It seemed she didn’t like being reminded she was no longer married to Knox. “The only thing you and Knox could have done amicably, if not for your greed, is co-parenting your daughter.” Aiva leaned forward, lacing her fingers and propping her chin on them. “You know, the same daughter that should have been your reason for walking in here. I could have almost allowed your teenage tantrum if you’d come in here concerned about someone you only know in passing being around your daughter, but you focused on how Knox being in a new relationship madeyoulook, not how it could have possibly made Yas feel.”
Mia gritted her teeth, and Aiva knew she’d hit a nerve. She assumed the other woman hadn’t thought of her daughter’s well-being once in the situation. Not that Aiva would ever do anything to hurt the child or make her uncomfortable.
“I do—”
“Be quiet. I’m still speaking. Your priorities are so screwed up that I’m sure your daughter wasn’t a factor in your anger. Your focus is on your image and claiming a man you treated like shit for no apparent reason other than being a spoiled brat. I would say it baffles me how you think you still hold claim to him, but it doesn’t.” Aiva leaned back in her seat. “So, let me be clear. That man you keep claiming is mine. Now and for the foreseeable future. You screwed that up. Now you get the honor of living with it, of seeing him happy, and I hope every picture that’s ever taken of us ends up being the first thing you see each morning and the last thing you see each night.”
Aiva allowed her words to sink in, and the disbelief and anger she saw spark in Mia’s eyes were confirmation that her words had their desired effort.
“I play chess, not checkers. So, the next time you try and fail to come at me, please know it’ll be the last.”Check. “Goodbye, Mia.”
Aiva turned her attention to her computer screen. An outright dismissal. A few seconds later Mia stormed out the door, slamming it shut behind her. Not a minute later, Finx and Meila walked into her office.
“Say the word, and we can jump that bitch,” Meila stated, taking a seat. Finx nodded his agreement as he took the other.
Aiva laughed. “No need. That tiny chihuahua just wanted to yap. The annoying little things.”
Meila laughed. “I looked out of my office when I heard Finx earlier, and as soon as I saw it was her, I knew she was here on some shit.”
“I did, too, when she walked in. A blog I like to follow wrote about the three of you being on vacation, and the post included a few pictures. Mia struck me as the type to get mad that her ex moved on from her, and it seems I was correct,” Finx stated.
“Well, she chose the right one on the right day. But the next time she comes at me with some bullshit, she’s going to realize that fuck around equals find out.”
32
Aiva opened her front door to find Knox on the other side, and she wondered if there would ever be a time she looked at this man and didn’t think he was fine as hell. It didn’t matter what he wore; he was always attractive. They were going to a vineyard party, and he’d dressed accordingly, but she couldn’t help but take him in.
Her perusal of him was cut short when he leaned in and kissed her, speaking against her lips, “I’ll never get used to how beautiful you always are, how tempting.” Aiva smiled against his lips, giving him another kiss before pulling away. “These are for you,” he stated, handing her a dozen roses.
Aiva invited him in so she could put them in water. She was surprised that he’d brought her flowers; he’d done so for every date that he’d picked her up for. He’d even brought them to her office a few times just because. She couldn’t remember the last time someone she was dating got her flowers just because. Once the flowers were taken care of, Aiva grabbed her clutch and they left.
She’d been to the vineyard they were going to a couple of times before, but only with her sisters and never when they hosted a large event. An associate of Knox’s from his time in the NFL was hosting the party, and when he’d asked her to go, Aiva had almost declined since it would be a bunch of people she didn’t know, and she didn’t want to impose.
However, she figured he wouldn’t have asked her if it would have been, and there were already pictures of them floating around. So, it wasn’t like everyone there would be surprised that he brought someone with him who wasn’t Mia.
When they reached the vineyard, Knox helped her out of the car, and with her hand still in his, he led the way to the entrance. Aiva could tell from the number of cars that there were numerous people in attendance.
As they walked in, they were offered glasses of wine, and Aiva smiled in thanks at the server.
They hadn’t been there but a few minutes, weaving through people, when two men approached them.
“I see you upgraded nicely,” one man stated as soon as he stopped in front of them.
“I’m starting to think you were born without manners,” Knox countered.
“I’m not sure why we’re surprised by anything that comes out of his mouth,” the second man said.
“Shut up, kid,” the first countered.
“Baby, this is Coen; the one without manners is Wolfe. Guys, this is my girlfriend, Aiva.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Aiva,” Coen stated.
