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

“But Kevin was different. Kevin came home with me. We had wild sex until dawn. But then—” Vito stopped, unsure if he could continue. His lower lip quivered. His breath was shaky. He blinked away the tears gathering in his eyes.


Henry prodded gently, “But then it became something more.”


Vito nodded and then realized Henry wasn’t looking at him. “Yeah, a lot more. See, Kevin wasn’t a one-nighter. He stayed. After that night, Kevin and I were pretty much together for the long haul. Sal loved him. I loved him. It was just right, you know?”


Vito went quiet again. Then he said, “The important thing was that it was like the corny songs and the romance novels—everything was perfect, right from the start. Love at first sight and all that happy horseshit.”


“I envy you that,” Henry said, and Vito couldn’t help but hear the melancholy that tainted his young voice.


Chapter 74