Henry Appleby has an appetite for life. As a recent high school graduate and the son of a wealthy family in one of Chicago’s affluent North Shore suburbs, his life is laid out for him. Unfortunately, though, he’s being forced to follow in the footsteps of his successful attorney father instead of living his dream of being a chef. When an opportunity comes his way to work in a real kitchen the summer after graduation, at a little Italian joint called Fiorello’s, Henry jumps at the chance, putting his future in jeopardy.<br><br>Years ago, life was a plentiful buffet for Vito Carelli. But a tragic turn of events now keeps the young chef at Fiorello’s quiet and secretive, preferring to let his amazing Italian peasant cuisine do his talking.<br><br>When the two cooks meet over an open flame, sparks fly. Both need a taste of something more -- something real, something true -- to separate the good from the bad and find the love -- and the hope -- that just might be their salvation.

Dinner at Fiorello's

“What’s the matter, honey? You can tell Maxine.”


Henry wasn’t ready. First of all, he’d need to come out to Maxine, which he was fairly certain wouldn’t be a problem, but the time just didn’t seem right, not when he was feeling so shaken.


Fortunately or not, he had another issue at the ready he could bring up with her. “You know where I was today?”


She grinned. “Robbing a bank? Selling your wares down in the city?” She wiggled her eyebrows. “Getting a mani-pedi.”


“No. You seem to have me confused with Mom. At least on the last part.”


Maxine pulled her iced tea back toward her and took a sip. She set the glass down and cocked her head. “Oh? I thought you were gonna work at your dad’s office this summer.”


Henry sighed. “You and everybody else. It seems like no one really consulted me about that. Ever hear of Fiorello’s?”


Chapter 19