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

But when I started to get on bended knee, Derek shot out of his chair and stood facing me. He grabbed the back of my neck, leaning his forehead to my mouth. “Yes, yes, oh, my God, yes.” He was shaking, holding onto me. With trembling hands, I managed to flip the lid open on the box and then, I took his hand in mine. We were silent, both of us in tears. The room had gone quiet. I could hear Derek’s shallow breaths and mine, too. Without a word, I took out both silver bands


“Yours,” I whispered, showing him the engraved word along the inside of the wring. Blue. I picked up his hand slowly pushed the ring down his finger. It fit perfectly, thank God. “And mine,” I said, showing him the word inside the ring. Red


Chapter 47