First Taste (originally written Nov. 23, 2024)
Gareth Hartley stood in the dimly lit kitchen of the five-star restaurant, his heart pounding in his chest as he wiped down the gleaming countertops. It was late, well past closing time, and the restaurant was empty except for him and his colleague, Scott Kwon. The silence between them was heavy with unspoken words and desires. Gareth’s mind raced as he tried to make sense of the unfamiliar feelings stirring within him. Gareth, 31, was born and raised in Lexington, Kentucky, along with his younger brother Callum, a seasoned equestrian. Gareth and Callum grew up considerably well-off, and the family owned several horses and lots of land to ride. Their mother was from England and gave both of her sons names that were common there but rather rare in America. Their father was American, also from Lexington. While Callum had followed in his parents’ footsteps and become a professional equestrian, Gareth had taken a different path and chosen to become a chef-something his parents never once d...