Chapter 3 You're my family

Conference room

They all sat back down at the conference table. Mr. Mel stared at them, unimpressed. "This is the best you've got. Seriously?"

"I want to sing!" Dahlia blurted out, and the room erupted in laughter.

"Kid, I know you're new, but what exactly are you going for here?"

She stood up, determined. "I want to sing! I wear Fling..." she gestured to her pants, "find a killer tune, and..."

He froze, and she instantly regretted it. But then he broke into a grin. "I fucking love it, kid," he said, then cleared his throat. "Sorry about the language. Now, get to work and find me someone with a decent tune. Keep this up, and you'll make it to the top." He pointed upstairs. She smiled.

Jane grabbed her arm. "You got lucky. Don't get used to it. I've been here three years, and I'm going to the top first."

"Am I stopping you, Jane? Take the elevator," Dahlia shot back.

Lance chuckled as he walked past.

Dahlia logged out of her computer and headed for the elevator, silently praying she wouldn't run into Henry.

Thursday, Thanksgiving Day...

"Dahlia, get your ass up, I need a hand," Tod called out, already halfway through peeling potatoes.

"Alright, alright," she groaned, stretching like a cat. She shuffled into the kitchen in her ratty slippers and lounge pants; hair piled into a messy bun.

"Start chopping these," he said, shoving a knife her way. "Morning," he added, planting a quick kiss on her cheek. "Want a pancake before you start?"

"Nah, I'm good. Coffee, though. I'll grab it."

It was her first Thanksgiving with them, and she wasn't about to waste it. Tod cranked up some tunes, and soon they were both humming along, knives clacking in rhythm.

Jason crept in, phone in hand, recording the whole scene.

By the time they noticed, he was sprinting down the hall, slamming his bedroom door behind him.

"Get back here and delete that, or you're not eating!" Tod shouted, pointing the spatula like a weapon.

They laughed it off for the moment, leaving him to his antics.

The table looked like it belonged in a damn magazine, Dahlia had never seen anything so fancy outside of TV. Tod insisted they dress up, and after some grumbling, and losing the argument, they all trudged back to their rooms to change. They took about a hundred photos, laughed too loud, and finally sat down to eat.

They settled in to watch movies, Dahlia sandwiched between them. Then the tears started again. She was thinking not even a call from Lupin, a text, a word...

"Girl, if I see one more tear, I swear..." Tod pulled her into a hug.

"I just... I love you guys. You're my family," she mumbled into his shoulder.

"We love you too, Dahlia," Jason said, rolling his eyes but smiling. "Now quit the sappy stuff and tell us what happened at work. You started earlier, but Todd interrupted, as usual."

She recounted the marketing project, the letter she'd written. They listened, then stared at her.

"Damn, Dahlia, that's... actually kind of beautiful," Tod admitted. "Hope you get a date out of it. Honestly, girl, you need to get laid."

"Tod, shut up," Jason cut in. "You're being an ass. She's never even been with a guy."

"I don't need a guy," Dahlia shot back. "I'm focusing on work right now, and my designs. That's it."

"Fair enough," Tod said, leaning back. "So, when are they announcing it?"

"At the Christmas party this Friday."

Tod stood up suddenly. "You're thinking what I'm thinking, right, Jason?"

"Oh, absolutely," Jason replied, grinning.

"Shopping time," Tod declared.

"No way," Dahlia protested. "I can't afford it right now, and I'm not even going."

"What? Why?"

"Because I don't feel like it. The top-floor people will be there, and it's going to be packed."

"You're going," they said in unison, leaving no room for argument.

Grand Mall Chicago

They hauled her to the mall, dragging her to the salon first. The stylist snipped a bit here, layered a bit there, and suddenly her hair felt like silk. Next came the dress hunt. She tried on what felt like half the store, while Tod and Jason made faces like they were judging a bad reality show. Then Tod spotted it. "That's the one. Go try it. Now."

She stepped out, and both of them just gaped. "Holy shit," Tod muttered, elbowing Jason. "Have you seen her?"

"Yeah, but damn," Jason replied, shaking his head. "Okay, black heels, right?"

"Obviously. And that purse adorable. Jason, we need more girls in this family."

"Can we adopt another?" Jason joked, grinning.

They sat at the cafe smiling at her. What, she asked Tod.

Were exited for you, Jason said. You're so beautiful girl, and humble, if I was a guy I'll be in love with you right now. okay, don't cry, he hugged her.

Friday Party Day...

"Tod, hurry up, I want to see her already!"

She stepped out, and Jason just stopped dead. "Whoa," he muttered, fumbling for his phone. "Hold on, I need evidence of this moment." He snapped a few pictures while she rolled her eyes, cheeks flushing.

"You look like you walked straight out of Vogue," Tod said, crossing his arms. "Nope, I'm not letting her go. Jason, back me up here. Our girl's all grown up."

She laughed. "I love you guys. Seriously."

They helped her into a long black coat, and her phone buzzed. "Uber's here," she said, kissing them both on the cheek. "Don't wait up."

"Oh, we're waiting," Tod shot back. "You think we're missing the drama? Not a chance."

Dahlia climbed into the car, nerves buzzing.

She'd never been to a Christmas party like this before. The Uber pulled up to the building, and she stepped out, smoothing her coat. Inside, a guy stood by the elevator. He turned as she approached, and she offered a small smile. He returned it, a dimple popping in his cheek.

The elevator doors slid open, and they both reached for the button at the same time. "Sorry," he said, laughing. "What floor?"

"Party floor," she replied, slipping off her coat. He caught a whiff of her, what a scent...intoxicating.

"Looks like we're headed to the same place," he said. "Where do you work?"

"Marketing," she answered. "You?"

"Same. Marketing and design," Top floor, leaning against the wall.

The door opened and she just stood inside. So many people and music blasting.

Yeah, then she stepped out. Someone took her coat.