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

“Hey, why the sad face all of a sudden?” Boone gently kicked my foot under the table.


I hesitated, and then decided to let my brother in a little. “I was just, uh, I was just thinking of something Davie had said to me, when he was—anyway, he said I’d be here, you know, here. In my life. Exactly here.”


“Yeah, well, he was always smarter than you were.”


I smiled and it felt nice to share this with Boone.


“He was a very decent guy, Nico. And I wish I’d have known him better.” Boone stood. “Now, the brother, on the other hand.” He laughed and walked away. “What a little shit that Bastian was!”


“Yeah,” I whispered, remembering Bastian’s face, that morning on English Bay Beach. That was something I couldn’t share with my brother. And that was all right.


Derek scowled, gazing down at the open box on his lap. Lene’s gift. He’d just finished tearing through the bright yellow wrapping paper. None of us could see what was inside that box. “What is this…” He looked at my sister.


Chapter 46