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

After she’d driven off, I took a stroll down to Commune Street and walked Esco around the port for a while. It was a cool August night, and holding Esco’s leash tight—most people were terrified of him—stopped by the docked ships, taking a minute to think. What was I going to do about O’Reilly? Couldn’t keep him hanging for too long. He was waiting for me to start something with him. It had been there in his eyes last week. The desire and longing. It had been in every one of his sighs. In the words he didn’t speak. No one, not even Davie, had ever quite looked at me the way O’Reilly did.


If I started this thing, I’d have to do things differently this time.


The wind blew up and Esco barked. I looked around. There were a few people there, but they were far off, walking by the piers. “What is it?” I rubbed his ears. “You’re getting jumpy, buddy.”


Chapter 28