Page 99 of Laws of Love
“Because I didn’t.”
“That’s too bad,” Meila responded.
“You need to talk to someone about that violent streak,” Finx stated, and Aiva nodded in agreement.
“Don’t act like you weren’t hoping she’d laid hands and not in the name of Jesus.” Meila rolled her eyes.
“We spoke, she saw reason, and things are fine,” Aiva gave them the cliff notes version.
“Well, I’m glad it worked out for Yasmine. Let me know a good weekend to have the three of you over for dinner if Knox is okay with it,” Meila stated, standing and leaving as fast as she came.
“I sent you a couple of emails and two potential client forms,” Finx said before following Meila out.
Aiva already had everything together for her three o’clock, so she looked at her emails and the forms before her client arrived. That way, she would get out on time.
Knox followed Yasmine into the condo as she skipped ahead of him excitedly. Since Aiva was coming over to give her the good news, he thought they could make homemade pizza and ice cream together for dinner and dessert. They’d gone out to get the ingredients, which seemed to lift Yasmine’s spirits. They were two of her favorite things to make, and she could be as creative as she wanted when making her pizza.
They put the shopping away, and Yasmine went to play in her room until it was time for them to make dinner. He hadn’t told her that Aiva was coming over because he wanted it to be a surprise, but he was glad she seemed in a better mood.
He hadn’t wanted to tell her that Aiva wouldn’t attend the party. At least not then, but he wanted to be honest with her, and he realized putting it off wouldn’t do him any good. So, he’d told her before she could get excited about other plans and things she wanted to do with her during the party.
She’d asked him if it was because Aiva had to work, and she’d immediately asked if they could change the day of her party so she could still come. He’d hated bursting her bubble and telling her that wouldn’t be possible. When she cried, all Knox could do was hug her and assure her they could celebrate another time with Aiva.
His irritation at Mia increased because Yasmine’s disappointment could have been avoided. She wouldn’t have spent the rest of yesterday in a sad daze. It was easier to let her think Aiva couldn’t come because she was working than to tell her the truth because, regardless of his relationship with Mia, he had no intention of speaking ill about her to their daughter. Though he was sure he couldn’t say the same for her.
Knox grabbed his tablet to review the mock layout the carnival coordinator sent him. He’d rented a private outdoor event space. The coordinator had viewed it the week he’d returned from the cruise to ensure it would fit everything Yasmine wanted. He liked they confirmed the booths could be accommodated in the area beforehand, so there was no scrambling at the last minute.
He also liked that the carnival company he hired would supply baskets for each child, including punch cards for concession vouchers and play cards for the games to be scanned at every booth. They both came with lanyards so the children wouldn’t lose them, and they could use the little baskets to hold the smaller prizes they won. Knox had opted for a package that would allow the kids to play each game several times and would allow them to get one of everything from the concessions if they wanted. He was sure they wouldn’t go through them all, but better safe than sorry.
A knock on the door pulled Knox from his thoughts, and glancing at the time told him it was Aiva. He answered the door, greeting her with a kiss as she entered, and placed her purse on the entry table.
“How was work?” he asked, leading her to the couch.
“It was a slower day. Just a few clients and some paperwork to get together for filings. What did you and Yas do today?”
“Nothing much. We went to the store to get ingredients for homemade pizza but mostly stayed in the house.”
“Does she feel better today?”
“The shopping trip helped lift her spirits. I didn’t tell her you were coming by. I thought it could be a surprise.” He paused for a second. “I know I said I wouldn’t ask any more questions, but I’m curious. How did you get Mia to agree to this?”
“I—”
“Aiva!” Yas exclaimed, and they both looked to see her running down the hall. She bounced onto the couch between them, hugging her, and Aiva pulled her into her lap.
“Hey, sweetie,” she greeted.
“I didn’t know you were coming to visit today.”
“I wanted to surprise you. Your dad told me you were a little sad, and I wanted to come by and see you,” Aiva responded.
“I’m still sad. I know you have to work, and Daddy says we can’t change the day of my party, but I wish you could be there.”
“I wanted to come too. So, I worked everything out, and now nothing is keeping me from being at your party.”
Knox watched Yasmine’s eyes widen before asking, “You’re coming to my party?” When Aiva nodded, his daughter squealed in excitement, which caused him and Aiva to laugh before Yasmine told Aiva that they should all wear the same colors and how much more exciting it would be.
He watched them talk about her party, how Aiva tickled her lightly when Yasmine joked they should dress up as unicorns, and he couldn’t help but smile at them. He enjoyed watching their interactions and the bond they were building. It wasn’t the first time he’d thought it, and he was sure it wouldn’t be the last.
