“Luciano and Eddie. I like that.”
“I’m not naming my kid Eddie.”
“How about as a middle name?” he suggests.
“No. I don’t like the name.”
“Fine. You can pick the girls’ names.”
We arrive at the SUV, and I pull away from him. “I don’t know if I want kids. I told you that.”
“Only because you’ve never had a kid. Once you do, I see a whole lot of little Bellomi kids.”
“Stop pressuring me,” I grumble, taking the keys so I can drive.
Dino walks around to the passenger door. “If you think that’s me pressuring you, then I don’t know how you’ll handle me going full-on nagging.”
Frowning, I start the car but don’t drive. “I do care about you.”
“I know.”
“I can maybe see us being together past this job.”
“Yeah, I know that too.”
“Will you shut up?”
Dino runs a hand through his thick hair. “No, because you’re planning on saying something stupid and reckless. I can’t let you do something you’ll regret.”
“You don’t need to protect me from myself.”
“Of course I do.”
“Why?”
“If you don’t know the answer to that, Apples, I don’t think I can explain it to you.”
Sighing, I stare out of the front windshield. “What hotel do you want to stay at tonight?”
“Let’s go to the mall first. I’m sick of hotels.”
“Fine. I wouldn’t mind some crappy mall Chinese food.”
Dino smiles slightly at my comment, but he’s plotting. I see the look in his eyes and wish I could trust it. He’s set on an idea that might never happen. He wants to protect me from my stubborn nature, and I feel the same way about protecting him from his impossible dreams.
23
Dino
Buying My Baby Bling
Minka remains in the SUV long after parking at the mall. I’m in no hurry either. She’s thinking too much, and I bet her thinking will lead to something reckless. Despite her years in the business, Minka is too emotional on this job.
“Whenever you’re ready to go shopping, let me know,” I say, leaning back in the seat.
“What are we shopping for?”
“I’m going to buy you an engagement ring.”
Minka gives me a side-eye. “What makes you think I want one?”
“You’re so fucking in love with me, Apples. You might even need an intervention.”
“So, you’re doing me a favor.”
“Oh, I’m in love with you too. I’ve chosen to embrace the love rather than act like a mule about it.”
Minka says nothing for a long time. Hell, five minutes easily pass while she sits silently in the driver’s seat. She doesn’t even look at me, instead staring at the Macy’s sign.
“I admit I’m probably in love with you.”
“That’s big of you.”
Minka frowns but refuses to look at me. “I’ve never been in love before. How can I even know if I love you?”
“You know.”
“I admit I feel more than I ever did for Troy.”
“There you go.”
“I can’t be sure it’s love.”
“You’re so damn stubborn,” I say, poking her in the ribs. “It’s not healthy.”
“You’re not healthy.”
“That’s true too.”
Minka turns to me. “I have this heat in my chest. Is that love, though?”
“If it were only lust, the heat would be lower.”
Fighting a smile, Minka continues, “I want you with me all the time even when you get on my nerves.”
“Which is a lot.”
“You are annoying.”
“And you’re a pain in the ass.”
Minka grips my hand. “I think I love you.”
Her words might seem silly if I didn’t hear the fear in her voice.
“You love me because I’m yours to love. Just accept it and move on. Being scared ain’t helping.”
“I am relieved you say you love me.”
“I say what I mean. You know I don’t mince words.”
“No, that’s why you’re so annoying.”
“Do I have any other qualities?” I ask, stroking her hand.
“You’re very handsome, so there’s that.”
“Anything else?”
“You’re brave. Stupidly so.”
“True. Is that it?”
“You handle yourself well. You handle me well too.”
“All spot on observations.”
“You’re funny,” she says, and I see her breaking through the fear. “You’re a great dancer.”
“I can’t deny any of that,” I whisper, kissing her temple.
“You make me happy even when I’m not happy. I also feel safe when we’re in danger. I guess you make me stupid.”
“The best kind of love will make you dumber than shit. I guess that bodes well for us, huh?”
Minka smiles at me. “I can kinda picture loving you for a long time. That’s something, right?”
“Oh, yeah.”
My lips find hers, and Minka hesitates. We’ve moved way beyond easy sex to uncharted territory. Life and death are simple. Love and romance are scary shit.
“I’m not Italian,” she blurts out after I try to deepen the kiss.
“I know that. What are you ethnic-wise?”
“American.”
Narrowing my eyes, I study her. “Spanish maybe?”
“What does it matter?”