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

It was near nine o’clock when Sammy got sick. Or, Henry thought, sicker, because he knew the guy came into work not feeling good. He’d seen him. His usually dark Mediterranean complexion had paled, and there was something dead in his eyes. Later, when Henry had seen him working at his station, he noticed how his ashen skin was coated with a shiny patina of sweat. Henry had assumed it was just from the heat.


But when Carmela sidled up behind him just after he’d finished serving a very handsome gay couple on what Henry hoped was a date, he knew the sweat was from something else. Carmela yanked him away from the grouping of tables and pulled him toward the hostess desk.


“What? And he’s been prepping food all night?” Henry was horrified when he thought of all the people the guy could have made sick.


Carmela rolled her eyes. “Okay. Let’s just saySammy’s got the flu.”


Chapter 40