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

Never again would I coast through my days. Every move would count from now.


Minutes later, I was at Davie’s apartment door, clear-headed for the first time in what seemed like years. The door was unlocked and I walked in, setting my bag down.


Bastian was sitting in the living room. There was a carry-on suitcase by his feet.


I checked the hall—it was quiet back there. Davie was sleeping. “Where are you going?” I asked, pointing to the suitcase.


When Bastian looked up at me, I saw his eyes were red. He’d been crying. “I’m gonna be at the Sunset Inn. Room one-fourteen.” He stood and his gaze lingered on the bay whose water was a dark shade of blue. He looked back at me and opened his hands. “My brother’s last wishes. What can I do?” He shook his head, smiling bitterly. “He wants to be alone with you. He asked me to leave.”


Chapter 14