Minka grins. “Or what if you got me something less blindingly bling and instead spent the money on something I want more.”
Uneasy about where she is going with this request, I only mutter, “Go on.”
“You know, I never took a job where I felt bad about the outcome,” she says, careful with her wording. “Still, I wonder sometimes if my choices hurt innocent people. Like with Ruby. We walked into her life, and she ended up losing her job and car.”
“Is this because of the Romani thing? You don’t have to prove yourself to me or anyone else.”
“No, it’s just… Well, okay, maybe I do feel like I have to redeem the family name. Or maybe I’m just going soft. I don’t know, but I felt guilty seeing Ruby and her kid tonight.”
“She might have brought the kid along just to make you feel guilty.”
“Didn’t you feel bad at all?”
“I always feel bad. I’m a very sensitive guy.”
A laughing Minka smacks my chest lightly. “I’ll pay for her new car. You can lavish your money on me.”
“Great, now I really do feel guilty.”
“Good.”
“I want you to have something nice. You think I’m a goomba ape. This is my way to show you I’m suave and classy.”
“The dancing and shiny shoes already gave you away.”
“I want you to be happy.”
“I don’t need a ring for that,” she says, and I believe her. “You really surprised me, Dino. You’re rather irresistible, especially for a goomba ape.”
“Said the sexy gypsy.”
Minka fights a smile. “I’m only half gypsy. My father was a dumpy German guy sporting a comb over.”
“Stop,” I groan, leaning into her. “You’re making me so hard.”
Laughing now, she hits me again, but her fingers only brush against my skin.
“I don’t want to buy a ring from that asshole,” she says. “Let’s just get a hot dog and smoothie from Dairy Queen. The bling can wait.”
“Are you sure? I really like the idea of marking you in some way.”
“If my sex limp isn’t enough of a mark, give me a hickey. Once we’re done with this job and back in Houston, we’ll go somewhere very bling and blind each other.”
“I want so much bling that my cousin will see it from Jersey.”
Minka takes my hand, and we leave the store without looking back at the jerk.
“You’re really competitive with your cousin. What’s that about?”
“He hooked up with my dream girl. I had my eye on her for years, but he swooped in and stole her away.”
“I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Yeah, she and I never would have worked out. A few months before I moved to Houston, I saw her at the store. I nearly ripped out my hair from boredom while listening to her stupid story. Even if I was wrong about her, I’m still holding a grudge towards my cousin.”
“Sounds reasonable.”
“That girl ain’t got nothing on you. I never knew broads like you existed. If I did, I’d have kept my dick in my pants until White Horse.”
“Eww, virgin goomba ape,” she teases, pulling me towards the Dairy Queen. “In reality, being your first would have put too much pressure on me. I’d also wonder if you only wanted me because you hadn’t bedded anyone else. Now I know you’ve looked around, seen what’s available, and picked the best of the bunch.”
“Don’t make it sound so clinical. I’m a man, not a calculator. I didn’t make a decision to want you. I saw you and thought you were hot. You hit me, and I thought you were super hot. I watched you the last few months and thought you were more than hot. I fell in love with you. I didn’t settle for the best model in stock.”
“I’ve never been the romantic sort. Even now I feel weird about love and all that comes with it. I mean I wanted that stuff when I retired, but I guess I didn’t really think I would find it.” Minka frowns, causing a cute furrow to her thick brows. “In fact, I think I always expected to settle for some loser. I told Troy otherwise, but I was lying to us both.”
“Well you’re in love now so get used to all the sappy, romantic stuff.”
Minka stares at me with wide eyes. “Babies scare me. They’re loud and smelly, and I’ve heard they bite.”
“All true, but they also laugh and clean up real nice, and I’ve seen them dance. That's pretty funny.”
Minka glances around the empty courtyard. “I bet our kid would have a lot of dark hair.”
“Oh, yeah, and baby hair is really soft. Like feather soft.”
Minka’s expression shifts into something I’ve never seen before. I realize she’s putting aside her need to control everything. She’s finally letting herself dream.
“I’d be willing to have one. No promises on more than that.”
Grinning, I look up at the ceiling and then back at her. “I just knew I’d talk you into loving me and having a kid. Before moving to Houston, I asked God to give me a submissive woman, and here you are.”
“I’m really going to kick your ass.”
“I know, but it’ll be worth it. You should see your face when I say shit like that.”