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

The place was empty, unlike the day before. He supposed the lunch crowd wouldn’t begin for at least another half hour. He looked around for Carmela or Antonio, but obviously neither of them had arrived yet. Henry glanced down at the phone clutched in his hand like a talisman and realized it wasn’t quite eleven thirty yet. He was surprised the door was even unlocked.


Rosalie’s voice, coming from behind, startled him. Henry turned to see her walking in the front door. She looked almost exactly the same as yesterday, same black dress, same thick-framed glasses, same upsweep of salt-and-pepper hair with not a single one out of place. Henry had to wonder if she had even gone home or just magically reappeared here each morning just before opening


He smiled at her and decided he had nothing to lose—well, maybe a lot to lose, but he needed to be honest. “Good morning,” he said. “How are you today, Mrs. Fiorello?”


Chapter 25