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

Should he tell his father? No, that prospect was even more terrifying, although he felt the poor guy had a right to know. His father, a big blowhard, a perfectionist, a man who didn’t know the first thing about compassion, suddenly seemed like a pitiable figure to his only son, and that made Henry’s heart ache.


He didn’t want to go home, but he had no idea where to go.


And yet his feet began to take him south, walking along the shoreline of the lake. 10


Vito is barely awake when he turns in the darkness, wrapping his arms around Kevin and aligning his chest with Kevin’s spine. He smiles, eyes not open, as he feels Kevin’s smooth, satiny chest beneath his fingertips and runs them playfully across Kevin’s nipples, which they jokingly refer to as pencil erasers.


Chapter 45