Birthdays are for Celebrating

Lila

Lila sat in her living room, checking social media on her phone and berating herself for being a coward. She'd been planning this day for a week. It wasn't high stakes, not really. All she had to do was convince Dane that he didn't need to keep himself apart from her, or the others because of her. That they could work together. And, just maybe, convince him that she wasn't the only one who cared about him.

No big deal.

She groaned and dropped her phone on the couch. Then she turned and let herself sink back into it. The couch hugged her, but she couldn't get comfortable. She'd taken the time to dry her hair and style it down. She wore a simple blouse and dark jeans with her heels today, because it was the weekend, even if she was going to work. Technically.

It was after nine. Even on a Sunday that was plenty late enough. Dane had told her more than once that he was an early riser. Chris was the one who probably wouldn't make it because he'd still be asleep. Delilah had sworn Tish to secrecy in case Chris and Dane had another fight and Chris ruined the surprise. But that meant they had to schedule Chris for work, then tell him on the day what they'd been up to. She prayed he'd answer his phone.

Lila brushed non-existent fluff off the front of her blouse, touched her hair to make sure it wasn't falling out of the clip she'd used to keep the front of it out of her face, and started for her own door. This was ridiculous. He was just a guy turning thirty. He deserved a party. And the only people he had were the ones whose lives he'd changed by hiring them. So, she was bringing as many of them together as she could, and praying he wouldn't run from her before he learned it wasn't her he had to spend the day with.

She swallowed. She'd be lying if she didn't admit she was hoping this would somehow bring them back together, too. But that wasn't the focus of the day.

Making sure she had her security card and purse, she raised her chin and left the apartment. Except, at the elevators, she pressed the up button, and clicked the P to go to the top of the building.

She kept her chin up and a bright smile on her face when she stepped out to be greeted by the Receptionist. She still marveled that he had a team here twenty four hours a day. But it worked in her favor this time.

"Good morning, Ivy!" she said brightly.

The young woman she'd spoken to on the phone several times grinned and waved. "You made it!"

"I did, finally. Is he up?"

"Yes, and you can just go to the door. Josh won't stop you."

Lila turned to find one of the security guards she'd seen before standing between the elevator and Dane's door. He smiled and tipped a hand at her. She turned back to Ivy.

"So the security's just here for intruders?"

Ivy's eyes went wide. "Oh no! Normally no one's allowed to the Penthouse without Mr. Daniels permission. But there's a list of people who he approved to come anytime."

Lila blinked. "And I'm on it?" She tried not to make her shock so obvious.

Ivy grinned. "Yes, you and Chris."

Lila wasn't sure what to make of that—maybe he'd just forgotten to take her off it after their last fight. But it made her job easier today, so she just shrugged and thanked Ivy, then headed across the wide reception to the door.

It'll be fine. He won't shout. He'll be touched that we thought of him for his birthday. He won't hate me more. It'll help us heal…

She kept telling herself everything positive as she crossed the space and knocked on the door, and waited for him to open it.

When the handle turned, her heart sped up until her pulse was pounding in her ears. Then he opened it and her heart stopped.

Dane stood in the open door, one hand still on the handle, staring at her. He was in a tank top than hung off his shoulders like a hanger. It was the kind that had those long, low armholes that revealed his ribs, and it hung over a pair of loose shorts. And he was slicked with sweat from head to toe that made him look like his body had been oiled so she could see every dip and muscle.

She made a weird noise in her throat.

He blinked twice, then leapt into action. "Lila? What is it? What's wrong?"

She opened her mouth, but he was leaning in and she could see a bead of sweat rolling down his neck, to his collarbone. She wanted to lick it off.

"Lila?" His face was wide open with alarm. He stepped close, scanning the reception room behind her. But the only ones there were Josh and Ivy, who both smiled. When he looked back at her, there was fear in his eyes. "What's wrong?"

*****

Dane

She just kept staring at him. In those seconds of silence his heartrate skyrocketed. Was she hurt? Had something happened to Chris? Had his father finally revealed himself?

Dane took her by the shoulders and pulled her close, her eyes so wide he could see the whites in them. "What's wrong?"

She blinked and blurted, "Nothing! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to scare you. Or disturb your…" she flapped a hand at his sweaty chest as he took a deep breath. "I'm sorry, Dane. I just wasn't expecting to interrupt anything and I didn't want to make you angry."

He slumped with relief—and not a little irritation—but realized he was still holding her, so he let her go and stepped back. There was an odd expression on her face and her eyes kept sliding down to his sweaty chest. Dane grimaced. "Did you want to come in?" His voice sounded flatter than he'd intended. But he was still trying to catch his breath after that adrenalin rush.

"Yes, sorry. Sorry," she muttered as she followed him inside. He walked through to the kitchen to get a bottle of water from the fridge, and offered her one, but she shook her head. When he'd had a long drink and got his wits back together, he put the bottle down and folded his arms. "So, good morning, I guess. Can you tell me why you're here?"

She muttered something under her breath that he didn't catch, and her cheeks went pink. "Uh, good morning. Yes. And, sorry. Again," she was flustered. Dane fought a grin. "It's not a fun reason I'm here, I'm afraid. I need you to come into the office."

"You couldn't have called?"

"No, it's . . . sensitive."

He hesitated. "It's so sensitive you couldn't talk about it on the phone?"

"Yes. I mean, no. not like that. More . . ." She dropped her face in one hand and swore. "I'm sorry, Dane, I was afraid if I called you'd blow me off and I need you to come in. It's something I have to show you. I can't explain it. So, yes, I showed up at your door, because I'm pushy like that. You haven't exactly been excited to hear from me lately."

It was a force of will not to shift his feet. There was hurt echoing in her eyes, though she was trying to hide it, and she held his gaze steadily.

"I have plans today," he lied.

"Oh, I didn't know. Tish said—"

"You talked to Tish about it?" he asked sharply, standing straight.

"I just mentioned to her that I needed to talk to you, and it was Sunday. So…do you have time?"

"When?" he asked.

"As soon as you can. I'll work around you, but if we could be there by ten—"

"I'll have to make a phone call, but let's just do it," he said, doing his best to hide the fact that he was grateful for the distraction. He would stretch this out as long as he could to fill as much of the day as possible. Whatever it was. Or better yet, if she'd uncovered his father, maybe they'd have to work through the night.

"Good. That's good." She swallowed.

He didn't miss the way her eyes kept trailing to different parts of his body she didn't normally have a chance to see under his suits. He felt her gaze like a touch. It made him want to stay in the tank top for the rest of the day, but he reminded himself this was work. And he'd been sweating for an hour. He had to stink.

"I'll take a quick shower," he said, and cleared his throat when her eyes sparked.

"Okay."

"Have Ivy call a car for us. Fifteen minutes"

"Okay," she said.

He could feel her eyes following him as he left.

******

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