Second Helpings — Brandon Witt

After escaping to New York City and building a successful career, food blogger Isaac Reynolds returns to his small Ozark hometown for his twenty-year high school reunion. But old ghosts and a charged family history surrounding his mixed-race identity emerge to threaten the emotional safety that time and distance once provided. Grant Atkins never expected his long-lost love to make an appearance at the reunion-or to step foot in their hometown, for that matter-not after two decades in the big city. But the flames Isaac inspired in Grant have yet to cool, and while part of Grant wants to shove the past aside and live for the moment, the other part screams out a warning that the risk might shatter his heart and the peace he has finally found. As Isaac explores the memories and flavors of childhood, he realizes what his soul has been craving all this time... And a second chance might be just within Grant's reach.(This novella contains 23,000 words and three recipes.)