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

The wall before me was covered with framed pictures, but I was too weak and afraid to look at any of them more closely. From here, I could tell that I was in almost all of them. Could see my blond hair against Davie’s dark curls in every other frame. A surge of courage propelled me forward and I leaned in close to one of the pictures, seeing David’s face for the first time in so long. Oh, he was the loveliest man on earth. That know-it-all smirk hiding a tender heart. Those vivid black eyes drinking life in deep, almost dangerous swills. My throat clamped up as I touched a fingertip to his face behind the glass. “I missed you…”


The door opened behind me. “He’s coming around, so now’s a good time, I guess.” Bastian took a deep breath, staring at me. “Remember what I said, Nick. This isn’t about you anymore. This is about him. You gotta fall in line with him on this one.”


Chapter 11