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? The food? The music? Yes. And yes. Very much. Thank you.”


Henry stared at Vito for a long time. It felt like each of them was frozen in place, bewitched.


At last Henry moved to the bed and sat nervously at its edge. “What time is work?”


“Neither of us has to be in until the dinner shift—about four.”


Henry grinned. “What will we do with the rest of the day?” He eyed Vito and tried to give him his most flirtatious look. Since he had little experience being a seducer, he didn’t know if it worked. He figured it didn’t, because Vito merely cocked his head and let out a guffaw.


“I don’t know what you’re up to, kid. But I can tell you what you need to do for at least a little of the day—clean up your dishes and the pans in the kitchen. House rule, whoever cooks, cooks, and he who eats, cleans up. That’s the way it always was when—” Vito stopped himself and looked away, not saying anything for several moments.


Chapter 70