When I return from my room, I find him sitting comfortably on the couch with the book in his hands. There’s a look of fascination on his face as he flips through the pages.
“It’s Emma’s. I was passing the time. Have you heard of it?” I ask, slightly embarrassed to have him find a sex-filled novel on my table.
“Who hasn’t heard of it? It’s been a number one seller this whole year. Are you reading it?”
With a shrug, I say, “Yes. I started it this afternoon while I waited for you to arrive.”
“And?”
“So far, it’s entertaining. What’s most intriguing is that Friday, you made a comment that was like one I read in the book.”
“Really? What was it?”
“Something about having unconventional tastes. I got the impression we weren’t talking about dessert.”
“You’re a perceptive woman. Don’t worry about my specific tastes. I don’t gravitate toward floggers and hot wax, but I’m open to suggestions and experimentation if that’s your desire. We can discuss our specifics at dinner.”
Surprised by his response, I shift from foot to foot. “I can assure you I do not long to be tied up and tortured.”
“I don’t know, a little bondage could be fun.” He appears to enjoy this exchange. It’s as if my discomfort entertains him. “Shall we go? I made reservations at my favorite Italian restaurant. Do you like Italian food?”
“I love it. Do they have good lasagna?”
“The best I’ve ever had.”
We drive in Damon’s silver Mustang to a restaurant called Tony’s, where we’re ushered to a corner table toward the back of the dining room.
He helps me into my seat and sits beside me rather than across from me. It’s a small place with red-checkered tablecloths and pictures of various Italian landmarks like the Tower of Pisa and the Trevi Fountain. Garlic floats through the air mixing with the sound of Frank Sinatra and clinking plates.
“If you take your wallet out to pay for anything besides dinner,” I say, “I’ll beat you. Do you understand?”
“I think you’ve been reading too much of that book I found on your table.” His hand covers mine. “I won’t guarantee that I won’t pay for things, but I promise I won’t offer to pay for your time tonight. Can we agree to that?”
“It’s a start. Now let’s order dinner before I get hangry.”
“We can’t have that.” He flags down the waiter, and we order a starter and our meal.
The restaurant fills with people as we nibble on antipasto salad and calamari. A soft murmur of conversation surrounds us as we talk about mundane things like the weather.
“What do you think of the food?” He wipes his mouth and sets his napkin on the table. “I found this place several years ago, and it’s my go-to for authentic Italian.”
“It’s amazing. Just the right amount of garlic on everything. Sometimes you go to these places and taste the garlic for days—no one can stand to be around you, but this is great. Thanks for inviting me.”
All throughout dinner, Damon and I unconsciously take turns staring at one another. His blue eyes pierce mine, and I melt for him.
“Tell me about your family, Katarina. I want to know everything about you.”
“There isn’t much to tell. I’m the second child of Mike and Marion Cross and have an older brother named Chris. Yep, I know—don’t say it. He caught a lot of crap for having the name Chris Cross even though the duo spells their name Kris Kross.” I raise my hands in the hair and sing Jump. This causes a giggle as I remember how much shit my brother got because of his name. “My dad is an accountant, and my mom is a stay-at-home wife. Chris is a loan officer for a large bank. We grew up in Arcadia, where my parents still live in my childhood home.”
“What were you like as a teenager? What were your hobbies?”
“I was like most teens. I had big dreams and limited potential, but I grew into myself. High school track kept me busy, and I still run several days a week. My college graduation is in May, and I hope to find a job as an event planner. I’d also entertain the possibility of being in management, but I don’t know if I have the skills to lead a group of people. Seeing you today at your office was inspiring because you’re so confident and capable. How do you make it look so easy?”
“It’s more about the people you surround yourself with than anything else. I hire capable people, and they do their jobs well. You should contact our human resources department. They may have an opening in your area of expertise. I’m co-branding with Anthony Haywood, and we’re ramping up for the grand opening of Ahz.”
“Emma said something about that. You’re so young and have accomplished so much. I want to know more about you, Damon.”
He hesitates for a moment as if deciding what he wants to tell me. I can see the indecision in his eyes until he exhales and speaks.
“You met my mom. She’s on the board of directors at the hospital and has spent her life dedicated to finding a cure for cancer. My father died from lung cancer when I was a young boy. I was twelve when he passed.” His fingers tap on the table. “I made my original investment money from being a DJ. I spent my youth in clubs and paid attention. I developed a successful business model and opened my first club when I was twenty. Now I’m twenty-nine, and I’m expanding into other territories.” He lifts his hands in the air. “The rest is history. There are nineteen Zeniths across the world. Only two are outside of the United States. One is in London, and the other is in Paris. I grew up in Brentwood, live off Mulholland Drive, and went to UCLA like you.”
“Are you an only child?”
“I am now,” he says. His voice short and stilted.
I don’t respond, because I hope he elaborates. I believe a person should be able to tell as much or as little as they feel comfortable. I’m not a person to pry, even though I want to know so much more about Damon.
He cautiously considers his next sentence. “I had an older brother who died from leukemia when I was twenty.”
I reach out my hand and place it over his. “I’m so sorry. That must have been awful.”
“More so than you can imagine, but it was a long time ago. Let’s talk about something else.”
“Okay, why don’t you date? You’re a handsome man with a charming personality. Fill me in.”
“I have had the pleasure of escorting many beautiful women to various places, but I don’t do the dating thing. I can’t make the commitment it requires to maintain a healthy relationship. There isn’t enough time to do it all, and I’ve got other priorities.”
It’s the other things that are his problem. Everyone can make time to build a friendship, but something tells me Damon is not sharing everything, and that’s okay, that’s his prerogative.
“Would you like dessert?” he asks.
My mind is elsewhere, and I barely register his question. Shaking my head, I try to clear the errant thoughts from my brain. “What?”
“Would you like dessert?”
“Um … no, I’m good.”
“Coffee, then?”