“Thank you,” Leo said. “Momma put out what she wanted us to wear.”
“She’s got good taste,” Ronan said.
“I picked a different shirt,” Matteo said.
“Why?”
“’Cause you wear red on Valentine’s Day. The shirt she picked wasn’t red,” Matteo explained.
A door opened behind Ronan and he turned around.
Giada was coming down the hallway toward them hesitantly. She was wearing a black and red dress with a square neckline, and her necklace framed perfectly within it. She wore black heels with it and her hair was pulled back in a loose twist with tendrils falling around her face. She stopped a couple of feet in front of him and smiled timidly.
“Momma! You look like a princess!” Leo said.
“Or a queen. Queens are better,” Matteo said.
“You are stunning,” Ronan said, stepping forward and taking her hands. “I am a lucky, lucky male.”
She smiled wider. “Thank you. You look very handsome yourself.”
“Thank you,” he said, leaning in to kiss her, but choosing her cheek at the last minute so he wouldn’t mess up her lipstick.
“Are we going now?” Leo asked.
“Well, we still have a little while before our reservation, but there’s no reason we can’t get there a little early.
“I want the biggest steak they have to eat!” Matteo yelled as he turned and ran toward the front door.”
“I think he’s a carnivore,” Giada said while laughing.
“Oh, I know he is,” Ronan said.
“Ronan? Are we going to take your truck or are we going to take Val’s car?” Leo asked.
“I thought we’d take Val’s car since she lent it to us until we get another car. It’s got the booster seats and all in it so we can make sure you and Matteo are as safe as you can be,” Ronan said as he took Giada’s hand in his and they all walked outside.
Leo scowled a little but nodded his acceptance.
“Why? Do you not like the booster seats?” Ronan asked.
“Not really. I’m not a baby.”
“Well, they’re not baby seats, and they’re here to keep you safe in the car. Besides it lifts you up so you can see out of the windows better.”
“I like the truck better, though.”
“Well, we’ll take the truck another day, but you might still need a booster. We’ll just have to see, okay?”
“Okay,” Leo agreed reluctantly.
They got loaded up and strapped in and headed off up the street on their way to the restaurant though it was just barely dusk out. As they came to the corner, and Ronan put on his blinker to turn left, a glow of orange flames caught the attention of Giada and the kids.
“What’s that?” she asked.
“Oh, that’s the bonfire. We have one for just about everything — definitely any excuse we can think of to have one.”
“What are they celebrating tonight?” Giada asked.
