It only takes a few days for Ollie D'Angelo to lose his boyfriend, his job, and his home. Instead of mourning what he doesn't have, Ollie celebrates what he does: the freedom to pursue his real passion -- cooking. He begins Dinner at Home, a home-catering business, and it takes off.<br><br>Late one night, Ollie catches Hank Mellinger, a streetwise hood down on his luck, about to rob his car. Ollie soon discovers that appearances aren't necessarily what they seem. Hank isn't a criminal caught red-handed, but a hungry young man trying to make a life for himself and the four-year-old niece he's trying desperately to take care of.<br><br>Instead of calling the cops, Ollie offers Hank a job and a way to pull himself up by his bootstraps. Together, they discover they can really cook ... and that their shared passion for food just might lead to a passion for each other.

Dinner at Home

“Then she goes into the system. Foster care. I’m not becoming a mom again. I don’t have time.”


Hank bit his tongue to keep from asking when she ever was a “mom.” E.J. appeared at the door again.


“Either you get back to work,” she said softly, “or just stay out there. But don’t bother coming back in.”


Hank shut his eyes, feeling as though his world had turned upside down. He wanted badly to light yet another cigarette but knew to do so would jeopardize more than his health—would jeopardize his very future. “Listen, once the lunch shift is over, I’ll call you.”


Lula started to say something, but Hank hung up on her and hurried back inside.


“Lunch! Coming right up.” He pushed E.J., who was chopping up heads of lettuce, out of the way. “You go on about your business. I’ve got things under control here.” He forced himself to smile and thought: if only, if only…Chapter 3


Comfortably Curried Carrots and Lentils


Chapter 10