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

“Yeah,” I said, crushing the tip of my cigar against the wall. “I think we’re gonna have a hell of a summer.”


“So…why are you out here smoking a cigar and looking like you’re about to put your fist through that brick wall?”


Man, he knew me well. “Leave me alone, will you?” I shook my head at him and opened the screen door. “Don’t let the rats in.”


“Oh, gross!” He jumped and looked around.


I laughed a little. “See you later.”


“Hey, Chef Nick?” He liked to call me that, although I’d told him we could be on a first name basis, after all this time.


Chapter 22