Page 82 of Laws of Love
“If it works for you.”
“Okay, next weekend,” she agreed.
“Yes!” Kaley exclaimed. “Aiva and I have the best sleepovers,” she told Yasmine. “We make snacks, build forts, watch movies, paint my nails, and do face masks. It’s so much fun!”
Yasmine’s eyes widen with excitement. “Can we do all that?!”
Aiva laughed as she nodded. “Of course.” She returned her attention to Knox. “I usually pick Kaley up around one or two, so we have time to do all that, and she still gets in bed at a decent time. Does that work for you?”
“It does. I can drop Yas off at one,” he responded.
The girls happily chatted about their upcoming sleepover until they finished their food. They washed their hands before putting their hats and gloves back on and starting on the vegetables. She and Knox gave them space and watched them from where they sat on the patio.
“Thank you,” he stated after a few minutes of silence.
Aiva furrowed her brow. “For what?”
“For being you.”
She understood after a few seconds. “You don’t have to thank me. I’ve told you once Yas is a part of you, and I understand that. I enjoy spending time with her; she and Kaley get along well. I don’t mind having her over for them to spend time together or for her and me to spend time together. You never have to thank me for doing something I want to do.”
“I know you’ve said it before, but I want you to know that I appreciate it and enjoy watching the two of you spend time together and get to know one another.”
“You don’t have to tell me you do. I already know that.” Aiva gestured towards Yasmine. “Because you wouldn’t bring me around her if it weren’t something you wanted. You wouldn’t trust me with her.”
Knox leaned over and kissed her instead of responding, their lips a slow-moving dance. She could tell when he remembered they weren’t alone because he groaned softly and pulled away. She smiled at him, shaking her head. Before she could say anything, Kaley spoke first.
“There are children here, and we can see you, you know.”
Her little sister’s comment made them both laugh. Yes, there were children there, but Aiva was excited about the prospect of what would go down when there weren’t. She was very much looking forward to a repeat of everything that he’d given her, made her take so deliciously, and anything else that he wanted to give her.
35
Knox pulled up to the address for the photoshoot. Ezra had volunteered to pick him up, but he hadn’t thought it was necessary and told the other man he’d meet him there. It had been a couple of years since he’d contracted with a company. Not since his last endorsement contracts expired two years ago, and he decided not to renew them. Knox hadn’t expected to step back into this side of his life, but he’d allowed Ezra to talk him into it. And since it was only a photoshoot for billboards and spreads and not a long-term obligation, he didn’t see the harm.
He exited his vehicle and entered the reception area of the building. A young man in his early twenties approached him, holding his hand out.
“Mr. Chandler. I’m Calvin Hughes. I’m Lily’s assistant. It’s so nice to meet you.”
Knox shook his hand. “You also, and please, Knox is fine.”
“Of course. Your agent is already inside. I’ll show you up to the penthouse.”
They stepped onto the elevator and rode it to the top floor. When they stepped into the penthouse, Knox’s eyes swept over everyone scurrying around to get everything set up. Movement came to a brief halt as almost everyone inside turned in their direction.
“Enough gawking people. Back to work. We’re on a schedule here,” Lily, the creative director, stated. Knox had met her once when she’d flown out to meet him, and they’d ended up signing the contract. “Knox, so good to see you again. We’ve got multiple different looks and set-ups to go through, but we’ll move through them one after another and have you out of here by lunch. If all goes according to plan, no later than one. If you need anything, let Calvin or myself know.”
“Thanks,” Knox responded as he allowed the information to sink in.
“Calvin will take you over to prep, and we’ll be ready for you soon.”
“Sounds good,” Knox responded, to have something to say, because saying nothing would have been rude.
“She’s straight to the point, isn’t she?” Ezra asked once Lily was gone, and Knox hadn’t noticed the other man had joined them.
“She is, but I’ve always enjoyed that more than those who drag these things out,” Knox responded as he and Ezra followed Calvin into one of the bedrooms.
Inside were racks of pajama sets, lounge pants, and boxers, along with a person who Calvin introduced as Chloe, who would do his hair and makeup. Knox sat in the tall chair, while Ezra leaned against the wall beside the door, and Calvin looked through the racks.
