It's been eleven years since Nick ran off with David for the West Coast. And though his life resembles a blue dream, after more than a decade of bar tending in resorts and cruise ships, Nick is finally thinking of heading home. First, he needs to go see about David in Vancouver ...<br><br>When he arrives, Nick finds a community of young men devastated by AIDS. Part of him wants to flee back to Montreal, but David is dying and Nick knows his place is by his best friend's side. In those four days and nights in David's apartment by the English Bay, Nick learns more about himself than he ever did before. When it's all over, he packs his bag and locks up his grief, determine to honor the promise he made to David of opening up his own restaurant.<br><br>Five years later, Nick is gaining a reputation in the industry as a chef, but has yet to have any meaningful relationships. Until Derek O'Reilly, that redheaded kid with the avocado-green eyes he used to know, walks into his dining room and ignites Nick's passion once more.

Blue Awakenings

“Well, whatever you decide to do,” Bonnie said, “I have a feeling you’ll be damn good at it. The new millennium is just around the corner, right? It’s a great time to start something.” She tipped her head, giving me an appraising look. “You got something, Nick. I mean that. In my line of work, I see a lot of people, and I’m telling you…You got something. Hope you cash in on that soon.”


Her words touched me, and for a second, I wondered why I was running from this woman so fast. It seemed that was all I’d done in the last nine years. Run.


I guessed I just didn’t want to be anchored anywhere. There was a life out there for me, I could feelit. Something waiting. A change. A chance. A whole new existence. Eleven years ago, I’d set my course for uncharted territory, and now, that territory had narrowed down to a cage.


“Thanks,” I said, simply. “I’ll do my best to catch that wave.”


Chapter 3