Page 23 of Night of the Living Manny
He liked it.
Brenden breathed deep when he got out of the car after Liam parked. Oh, he was gonna like this place.
Garlic and tomato sauce and basil and butter—heaven on earth.
They got out of the SUV, Liam herding them in. There was a crash and a low cry from out back; someone must have dropped something. Bummer. He always felt bad for a busser or server who did that.
“Ah, the Whitehouse crew!” A big, burly man with a truly impressive mustache came to greet them. “How are my babies?”
Brittany went right to the man. “Uncle Carlo! I’m so hungry!”
“Good. Then I will feed you.” He picked her up, swung her around in a wide arc.
Brenden grinned. Look at that. Being regulars was always awesome.
“Who is your new friend?” Carlo asked.
“The manny,” Susanna muttered. “The new babysitter.”
“This is Brenden Torrance, my very good friend and the kids’ nanny,” Liam murmured, giving Susanna a death glare.
“Welcome, Brenden!” Carlo stuck out one big hand to shake. “I hope you’re hungry.”
“I so am.” He smiled and took that hand, getting an enthusiastic pump for his trouble.
“Come in. Come in. About three waiters called in sick, flu, I think, but I will put you close to the kitchen so I know you’re treated well.”
“Thanks, Carlo. You’re not too busy?” Liam looked around.
“Do I look too busy? No. Is slow.”
“Thank God. I’m starving.” Liam’s smile was huge.
“Sit.” Carlo led them to a table, handing them menus as well. Even Susanna was smiling at the big guy by the time they got drinks.
Liam ordered lasagna, Susanna got a pasta salad, Britt ordered noodles, and Peter got steak. Brenden went for the chicken parm and salad. That was his Italian-place benchmark.
“And a bottle of red and salad and garlic bread, please.”
“You got it, my friend.” Carlo was taking care of them personally. Adorbs.
“This is an amazing place!” How had he never come here? All of the little towns were close together, so he should have known about this one.
“It is. Carlo has been here for damn near twenty years. My dad used to bring me here.” Liam gave him a warm look.
“Daddy asked Mommy to marry him here,” Britt said.
“Did he? How cool is that?” He had a feeling that, unlike Peter, Britt wasn’t trying to shock him. She was all proud she knew that.
“I did. This was our fancy restaurant. High school sweethearts, remember?”
“Oh God, yeah. My high school flame and I went to the Dairy King.”
“Onion rings and vanilla shakes.”
“Yes! You understand.”
Peter frowned. “Have we ever been there?”
