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

He touched the knot of his black tie and there was a slight tremor in his hand. When he set his eyes on my face again, they were brimming with emotion. “You’re gonna go see about David?” he asked, almost tenderly and without accusation. I’d told him about David. About his brilliant and messed up life. The theater. The dancing. Davie’s never-ending quest for validation.


“Yeah,” I breathed, leaning my head on the doorway.


“Good. That’s good.” Aiden cleared his throat, composed himself and smiled. “I’m sure he’ll be really…happy to see you.”


Happy? No. David would probably throw a shoe at me. That was if he let me into his apartment at all.


“Listen, uh,” I said, unable to control my voice, “you wanna come in for a few minutes?” I asked, without thinking.


“I have to be at the front desk.” Aiden took a deep breath, his chest rising under his dark blue shirt. “Maybe…later?”


Later would be nighttime. Later entailed promises I couldn’t deliver on. “Aiden—”


Chapter 6