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"Pasta," I answer without thinking.
Damien turns and raises an eyebrow in mute question but doesn't comment. Instead, he starts pulling ingredients out of my fridge and my cupboards: potatoes, flour, and herbs. He lines them up on the counter and starts to work in a methodical, organized way.
I watch him, fascinated by the subtlety and fluidity of his movements. "When did you learn to cook?" I ask him.
"My grandmother taught me how to do it. I used to visit her in Tuscany during the summers."
"Are you Italian?" I inquire.
"On my mother's side," Damien states in a calm tone. "Sadly, I take after my father more than her."
The tone of his voice makes it clear that this is a difficult subject for him, so I decide not to delve deeper, even though I’m curious.
In the meantime, I watch him cook. Damien boils unpeeled potatoes, and when they’re ready, he mashes them and mixes them with flour.
I watch Damien as he works the dough, kneading and folding it with practiced ease. The muscles in his arms flex and shift with each movement. I can't help but stare, transfixed.
"So," I say, tearing my gaze away. "How did you and your friends end up opening Club Allure together?"
Damien glances up at me, a half-smile playing on his lips. "It's a long story, but the short version is that we've been friends since college. We all came from different backgrounds, but we shared a love of music and a desire to create something unique."
He begins cutting the dough into small pieces, his fingers moving deftly. "Jackson was the one who initially had the idea for the club. He's always been the visionary, the one pushing us to dream bigger."
I nod, picturing the blond-haired, tattooed club owner I've seen in magazines. "And the others?"
"Ethan's the muscle," Damien says with a chuckle. "He handles security and makes sure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. Landon is our tech genius, keeping us ahead of the curve with the latest gadgets and software."
His expression softens as he mentions the next name. "Andres bridges our efforts from the regular clubber to corporate events and brand deals. He plans all the events and makes sure our guests have an unforgettable experience."
I lean forward, intrigued. "And what about you? What's your role?"
Damien's eyes meet mine, and for a moment, I'm caught off guard by their intensity. "I handle the entertainment and marketing. Booking the acts, creating the right vibe, drawing in the right crowd. It's my job to make sure Club Allure is the hottest ticket in town."
He winks, and I feel a flutter in my stomach. I clear my throat, trying to regain my composure. "It sounds like you all complement each other well."
"We do," Damien agrees. "We've been through a lot together, both good and bad. They're more than just business partners – they're my family."
I nod, understanding that sentiment all too well. In the chaos of my childhood, music was the only constant, the only thing that felt like home.
But I've never felt like family, unless I count Brandon, which I once did, but not so much anymore.
"I get that. Music has always been my anchor, too."
Damien pauses in his work, studying me with those intense eyes. "Tell me about it. About your journey."
I take a deep breath, not sure where to start. "It wasn't an easy road, that's for sure. My parents were..." I trail off, memories of their fights and my father's rages flooding back.
Damien seems to sense my hesitation. "You don't have to share anything you're not comfortable with."
I shake my head, determined to push through. "No, it's okay. My parents were... well, let's just say they weren't exactly parent of the year material."
Damien makes the gnocchi, the dough is mixed with basil leaves, and once that’s done he gets to work on a thick, red sauce.
Soon, the kitchen starts to smell amazing.
I braid and unbraid a strand of hair, a nervous habit. "My dad was an alcoholic, and my mom was too caught up in her own dreams to really be there for me. Music was my escape, my way of drowning out the chaos."
Damien listens intently, his expression unreadable. I continue, the words spilling out. "I started writing songs when I was really young, just little melodies and lyrics in a notebook. It was my secret world, my safe space."
