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

Breathless and choking on my tears, I had to stop. Esco looked up at me with sad eyes. “Davie was a dancer,” I said, wiping my face with the back of my sleeve. “Did you know that?” I crouched down and rubbed Esco’s ears and petted his solid back. “He was my best friend. He was excellent.” I broke down again, hugging Esco tight. “And he died. But I’m here.” I sniffled, looking around the port, the docked ships, resolution drying up my eyes. “I’m here.”


Yet, minutes later, after I’d let the dog into the apartment, seeing that Derek still slept, I fled downstairs, finding refuge in my kitchen and work. I knew Derek would wake and wonder why I’d left him alone again, and soon, I’d have to tell him I wasn’t the man he thought I was. Would he still want me as I was today, and not as he remembered me?  15


Chapter 31