Page 29 of Night of the Living Manny
“I do. Is that okay?”
She glanced up at him, all blue eyes and seriousness. “Uh-huh. And not just because I like Moosey so much.”
“Thanks. I think. Do you want some milk or juice?”
“Can I have some apple juice, please?”
“You bet.” Brenden sealed up the Instant Pot so he could start it. “What day is it?”
“Wednesday. Susanna is at choir practice. Shelly’s mom will drop her off before supper.”
“Oh, I’m glad I don’t have to call her.” He winked at Britt.
“Me too. She gets grumpy.”
“You mean bitchy.” Peter walked in, heading to the fridge.
“Language, buddy. Hand me the apple juice?” Brenden kept it low-key. Peter could get ramped up against Susanna if people let him.
“Sure. What’s for supper?”
“Pot roast and homemade bread.”
“Yum.” Peter actually smiled at him over one shoulder. “Just milk and a snack pack of Doritos, then.”
“Sounds good, bud.” That was a great choice, so Brenden wasn’t going to argue.
“Can I have some pimento cheese and crackers?” Britt asked.
“Yep.” He poured her juice before grabbing the newly made pimento cheese to scoop out a couple of tablespoons.
“I would have that instead,” Peter murmured.
“Sure.” He snagged the Doritos Peter handed back, then made up the plates of cheese and crackers.
His phone buzzed, so he glanced at it, frowning when he saw Susanna’s name pop up.Choir is cancelled. Be home soon.
Oh well, that was fine. He wanted to spend some time with Susanna, get to know her a little better. He hated that her routine was gonna be all messed up, because having a pattern was good for teens. Listen to him, all childhood psychology.
“Where did you learn to make pimento cheese?” Peter asked. “It’s a Southern thing. I googled it.”
“I was in culinary school for a little while. One of my instructors was from East Texas.” Peter was so smart. He saw stuff no one else did.
“What’s your favorite thing to make?” That was Britt, and she loved anything pretty or colorful, so he fibbed.
“French macarons.”
“Oh! Those are so yummy. We got them at a bakery in Denver once.”
“Dork. They have them at the Whole Foods.”
She gave Peter a superior look. “Which is either in Denver or Aspen.”
“Shut up.”
“Pete.” He gave Peter a look.
“Sorry.” Peter didn’t really sound sorry, but hey, he’d said it, at least. That made a difference.
