28
A iva watched as Knox nodded at whatever the three men who stopped him were saying, and she couldn’t help but smile as one pulled out a pen and handed it to him to sign something. He’d excused himself to the restroom, and they’d stopped him on his way back. Aside from being out with him and Yasmine or bumping into each other when she had Kaley, their dates had been private. She hadn’t seen this happen before. Aiva assumed people gave him more space when he was with his child.
“My apologies, baby,” he stated when he returned to their table.
“It’s not a problem. I don’t mind you talking to your fans.”
He picked her hand up from the table and kissed the back of it. They were waiting for their dessert to come.
“Do you know what Mia and Yasmine have planned for Mother’s Day?”
“I know they’re going to brunch and to get their nails done. I took Yas to pick out a gift for Mia this morning.”
“Are you doing something special for your mom?” Aiva asked, picking up her glass.
“I got her a gift, and I’m going to visit her and take her to lunch while my dad sets up his surprise for her. What about you?”
“Meila and I are taking our mom to a movie she mentioned wanting to see, and we’re going to take her to dinner.”
Their server arrived, dropping off their shared dessert before leaving them alone again. Aiva took a bite of the moist molten chocolate cake. It was her favorite dessert to order when she frequented the restaurant.
“I know you haven’t decided if you’ll accept Yas’ invitation, but I thought I’d send you the information tonight. That way, you’ll know the game plan if you decide you want to come.”
“It was so sweet of her and you to invite me, but I don’t want to impose on your father/daughter trip.”
“If it were going to be an imposition, I wouldn’t have seconded her invitation. You’re welcome to if you want to come, and if not, it’s fine.”
Aiva nodded as her brother’s words ran through her mind. She knew he was right, and it was better for her to go with the flow and not try to put timelines on the relationship. Her aim was to ensure Yasmine was comfortable with her dating her dad before they spent extended time together. However, from the conversation she had at the park with the little girl, she got the feeling that Yasmine was more than comfortable.
Once Knox sent her the information, she would check the dates against her schedule and see if it was something she could make happen. If it required her to move too much around or if she had mediation or court dates scheduled that week, she wouldn’t be able to go, but it wouldn’t hurt to look.
“Did you enjoy going to the spa with your sisters?”
“I did. We all went, even the youngest two, and Kaley was more interested in eating the cucumber slices than anything else.”
Knox chuckled. “She has priorities.”
“That’s for sure. I think she ate enough slices to form two cucumbers. Have you decided if you’ll participate in either of the campaigns you were asked about?” He’d told her on the phone about them.
“I’ve ruled the cologne out. They sent a description of the fragrance and which one on the market it’s similar too. It happens to be one that I don’t prefer, and I’m not willing to advertise something I wouldn’t wear.”
“I understand that. So, you’re still on the fence about the sleepwear?”
“I am, but the creative director wants to fly in for an in-person meeting. I’ll talk to them and decide from there.”
They finished their dessert, and their server returned with their check. Aiva reached into her purse for cash to leave a tip after Knox placed his card on the bill.
“What time are Yasmine and your babysitter expecting you?” Aiva asked once they were outside.
Knox looked at his watch. “Yas should be in bed already, and Molly’s good for a couple more hours. Was there something else you wanted to do?”
“I just wanted to walk around for a bit, take in the night lights.”
They were downtown, and the area was lively. She had expected nothing else for a Saturday night, but she always enjoyed walking around and seeing what was happening. While the usual businesses were open, there always seemed to be vendors or some special activity happening every weekend.
“Sure, gorgeous. We can do that.”
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.
K nox 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.”
His mother raised a brow at him, and Knox gave her a smile that used to help him escape trouble whenever he rarely found himself in it.
His parents were under the misconception that since he’d bought them a house and vehicles, he didn’t need to do anything else for them. He’d long ago stopped trying to have a conversation with them about it.
He watched her open the gift bag and pull out the different candles. If his mother liked nothing else, she loved candles. They were all over the house. She didn’t buy them to sit there as some people did. She used them religiously. There were always several burning in the house throughout the day. Knox liked to keep her stocked up on some of her favorites.
“Thank you. I just burned the rest of this one,” she stated, holding up the rose water scented candle. “You have great timing. I’m going to put these up, and we can go.”
Knox nodded, following his mother out of the kitchen. She put the candles away, and he went into the living room to wait for her. She walked in a minute later with her purse, and the two left.
K nox was lying in bed reading later that night when his phone rang. It was a little after ten, and he looked at the screen to find Aiva calling. He set his book aside, answering it.
“Hey, gorgeous.”
“Hey. How was your Mother’s Day?”
“It was good. How was yours? How was the movie?”
“It was good. The movie was a cheesy romance, but that’s to be expected whenever my mom or sister chooses.”
Knox chuckled. “I take it you aren’t a fan.”
“I don’t mind romance movies, but when they’re overly cliche and cheesy, I’d rather not watch them. Do you know if Yasmine had fun with Mia?”
“She said she did when I spoke to her before bed. She got her nails and toes painted, and I know she enjoyed that.”
“I’m glad she had fun. I know it’s late, but I wanted to take you and Yasmine up on your offer.”
Knox smiled. “I’m glad you want to go. I know Yas will be excited too.”
“The information you sent me had an itinerary of the activity breakdown but not where we’d be staying or the flight. Let me know when you’ve decided, and I’ll book my flight and accommodation as closely as possible.”
“Mm. I’ve already booked the accommodation, and I’ll let you know when I decide on a flight but only to give you your ticket information.”
“Knox, I can pay for my ticket and room.”
“I didn’t say you couldn’t. I’m just not going to let you, especially since we invited you.”
She was quiet for a few seconds before conceding. “Fine, since I’m sure trying to convince you otherwise will not work in my favor.”
“It won’t. How’s your day look tomorrow?”
“I have a couple of clients in the morning and mediation in the afternoon. What do you have planned once you drop Yasmine off at school?”
“I’m going to check in on a few of my businesses in surrounding cities I didn’t check on this past week.”
The two spoke for a while until Aiva yawned, and Knox glanced at the clock to find that it was after eleven.
“Get some sleep, gorgeous. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Okay, goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
They hung up, and instead of going back to reading his book, Knox set his alarm, turned off his lamp, and slid down in bed, deciding to turn in for the night.