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

“Holy fuck, you are?” Andy gave me wide-eyed look. He’d never even heard of me dating anyone. “Seriously? Is it that woman? The one with the kid—”


“Uh, no.” I glanced around at their young faces. They were a loyal team and I was lucky to have them, but they didn’t know anything about me, really. They especially didn’t know about my bisexuality. Not even Andy, who was gay, knew I swung both ways.


I was going to come out, right then and there, but inside my jeans, my phone vibrated, and when I pulled it out, I saw it was Boone calling. “Sorry,” I said, walking away to the back door, “I gotta take this.”


“Saved by the bell,” Andy teased, exiting the kitchen through the swinging doors.


“Hey, Bunny boy,” I answered Boone, stepping out into the back alley. It was cool out here. Autumn was definitely at our door. “What’s up?”


Chapter 35