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, then, a toast.” Stephanie raised her glass. “To our favorite bartender. A man as classy as he is bad ass.” She chuckled and took a good swill of her drink. “We’re gonna miss you, Tarzan.”


“I’ll miss you guys, too.” I smiled and took a sip. Yikes. Way too much sugar and soda. “But you can’t fix a mojito to save your life.”


We chatted about guests and the latest staff gossip while the radio played a great set of bachata songs in the background, the sound of the bongos and maracas pumping me up. I poured myself a shot a rum instead of having the mojito. That would be it for me tonight. I didn’t drink on the job. I’d learned my lesson a long time ago.


“So what are you gonna do now?” Lorna asked, turning more serious. “Cruise or…?”


“No, actually, I’m gonna go see about a friend in Vancouver.” I cleared my throat and drained my shot. “He’s been sick and I haven’t heard from him in a while.”


Stephanie tipped her head, watching me with bright blue eyes. “What’s wrong with him?”


Chapter 5