Fifth Avenue Devil

Chapter 38

Thirty-Eight

Nate

“I ’m so excited to see this performance!” Annalise’s eyes are bright as she talks about her passion. “I’ve never seen the Tokyo Ballet before. I can’t wait.”

My lips twitch with dark humor. “I’m glad that at least one of us is excited.”

Annalise pauses, looking around at the people pushing past us to get to their boxes. She pulls me to the velvet-lined wall and puts a gentle hand on my chest.

“If you don’t want to do this…” Her eyes are large and luminous.

“No.” I heave an exaggerated sigh. “Taking my parents to the ballet was my idea. A bad one, almost certainly. But mine nonetheless. Come on.”

I place my hand on the small of Annalise's back, guiding her into the opulent ballet theater. One of the things I love about Annalise is her perpetual enthusiasm about being in this building, with its gilded ceilings and plush red velvet seats. I can feel the hitch in her breath as we step into the box; the stage is laid out before us, curtains closed, orchestra tuning their instruments.

My parents are already seated in our private box, sipping champagne and whispering to each other. When they realize we are here, though, they turn to look at us with sharply disapproving gazes. My mom's severe look rakes over Annalise from head-to-toe, her lips already pursed in disapproval.

"I do admire your boldness, my dear. It takes a certain… confidence to dress so, uniquely in such a refined setting."

“ Mom .” I slide my arm around Annalise. “Play nice. Even if you don’t mean it, pretend that you can be pleasant.”

“I’m just protecting the Fordham family’s endowment.” My mom looks at Annalise again. “You understand, don’t you? Of course it’s lovely that you’ve found a way to fit into my son’s world. Temporarily , at least.”

“Now, darling.” Dad represses a chuckle. “Don’t be so hard on the poor girl. Everyone deserves a taste of luxury, even if they’re not accustomed to it."

I feel Annalise tense under my palm but she keeps her head high, a polite smile glued in place. My blood boils at their blatant rudeness.

Annalise is brilliant, beautiful, and passionate. Not only that, but she loves me . How dare my parents insult her?

"That’s enough from the peanut gallery," I say coolly, giving them a hard stare. "Annalise is an accomplished CEO in her own right. I won't tolerate you belittling her."

Mom waves a dismissive hand. "Oh please, Nathaniel. We all know she's only playing at business until she can land herself a proper husband."

"I’ll tell you this once more." I move to take Annalise's hand in mine. "I love Annalise. And I'm lucky she puts up with me. If you still feel the need to demean her, you shouldn’t expect to see me at family gatherings."

My mom’s jaw sets. She harrumphs and turns back toward the stage. I arch a questioning brow at my father. He shrugs, casts his gaze over Annalise and me once more, and then turns as well.

Annalise looks up at me as she exhales a shaky breath. I squeeze her hand and whisper, “Sorry.” She hugs my arm tightly. I urge her down into the box, where we take seats in the second row.

As I'm still holding Annalise's hand reassuringly, a familiar face pokes her head in. “Is this where I’m supposed to be?” Lori Parker asks.

Annalise gasps in delight, her eyes widening. "Lori! What are you doing here?"

I wave Annalise's so-called ‘bonus mom’ in. “Sure is. There’s a seat for you right by Annalise.”

Lori takes the proffered seat with grace. "Nate invited me,” she tells Annalise. “He thought it would be nice for our ‘families’ to meet and mingle."

Annalise turns to me. "You did this? For me?"

"I know how much Lori means to you. She's like family."

"She is my family," Annalise says emphatically. She hugs Lori again. "My found family. I don't know what I'd do without her."

Lori pats her back soothingly. "Oh honey, I'll always be here for you. We're in this together."

The lights begin to dim as the ballet starts. I slide my arm around Annalise’s shoulders. She leans against me in a tender way that makes me forget the dancers onstage.

I put my nose in her hair and inhale her scent. For a few moments, I am blissed out, unaware of anyone who isn’t Annalise. I watch the dancers float across the stage for forty minutes, then applaud when everyone else does.

The lights roll up again, a sign that intermission is starting.

"Perfect timing. Let's head to the bar and I'll introduce you to a few more people,” I say to Annalise, then call out, “Do you want anything, Lori?"

The older woman is already halfway out of the box. She flaps a hand at me. “I spotted a friend across the way. Don’t get anything for me.”

Annalise and I make my way downstairs. Just as we enter the crowded lounge area, I spot my cousin Calum, the owner of the ballet company, with his glamorous wife Kaia.

"Nate!" Calum claps me heartily on the shoulder. "Good to see you. And…” He looks at Annalise. “Annabeth?”

"Calum, Kaia, I'd like you to meet Annalise Gellar. She’s my girlfriend." I keep an arm wrapped around her waist.

"Charmed," Kaia trills. She bounces over and air-kisses Annalise on both cheeks. "I so rarely meet any of Calum’s friends’ girlfriends. They are all commitment-phobes."

"Is that so?" Annalise replies, looking a bit taken aback. I can tell she's flustered by Kaia's effortless, slightly intimidating poise. “I hope it’s not rude to ask, but are you a ballet dancer?”

“I am!” Kaia laughs, sharing a glance with Calum. “I danced here until I got pregnant with our daughter Charlotte. Now I lead a foundation.”

“Is that how you two met?” Annalise asks.

“Yes. I was a dancer. He took over the company. We fell in love.” Kaia gestures. “Tale as old as time. I’ll tell you all about over a cup of coffee sometime, if you’re interested.”

I hide an amused smile at that, knowing how my old money family tends to look down on the newly wealthy, like the Gellars. But Kaia has always been refreshingly free of snobbery, despite her own blue-blooded heritage.

“Well…” I cough into my hand. “There’s not much to tell other than it nearly ended both of their careers.”

Calum rolls his eyes and puts his hands onto Kaia’s hips. “Yes, yes. Forbidden love, etc.” He nudges Kaia toward the theater. “My suggestion is that we head into the Jewelry Box for a drink. Nate, your brothers are in there already.”

A note of anticipation and nervousness thralls through my blood. I know exactly what Calum has planned; I arranged all of this.

“They are?” Annalise glances up at me with a questioning look. “Did you know that they were coming?”

I shrug a shoulder and smile enigmatically. “Maybe.”

She gives me a funny look. I snake my arm around her waist, pulling her closer. I feel that faint pull of desire starting to thrum through my veins at her nearness. We follow Calum and Kaia away from the crowd and into the Jewelry Box, a private, stage-level box with a small bar and plenty of standing room. The entire room is decorated in pink velvet, pink satin, and black and white photos from NYC Ballet productions.

“I didn’t even know this place was here!” Annalise says as I sweep her along into the room. “Oh, Lori’s in here. And… your parents…”

Cash and Grant turn around, each lifting their drink in acknowledgment. James stands with my parents, whispering. My pulse picks up.

They are all here. It’s time.

I take Annalise’s hand. Her eyes meet mine. It has always felt like she could see straight through me. I search her face, trying to gauge her reaction to what I’m about to say. "Annalise. There's something I want to ask you."

Everyone in the room stills and looks at us. She leans closer to me, as if drawn in by some invisible force. "What is it?"

Without hesitation, I reach into my pocket and retrieve a small velvet box. I kneel before her and everything else fades away as I open the box to reveal the dazzling diamond ring inside.

Annalise puts a hand to her mouth, gasping softly. “Nate, is this–?”

"Annalise Gellar, you’re an amazing woman. You are the entire package: intelligent, beautiful, and kind. You make my life complete. Will you marry me?"

Tears glisten in her eyes as she looks back and forth between me and the ring. This isn't just a proposal, it's a promise to spend our lives together.

"Oh my god. Oh my god, yes!" she breathes out. "Yes, I will marry you, Nate Fordham."

As everyone applauds, I get to my feet and Annalise flings herself into my arms. I hold her tight as her lips seek mine. She kisses me hard, her hands bracing my head.

“I love you,” she whispers to me.

I grab her waist and lift her. “And I love you.”

Calum is the first to congratulate me. I shake his hand, thanking him for helping me to set this up.

Grant pulls Annalise into a warm embrace, lifting her off the ground briefly before setting her back down with a laugh. His easy grin mirrors mine "Congratulations, you two!" he exclaims.

Cash joins in, his charm radiating as he offers Annalise a playful wink. "Welcome to the family! We knew Nate was too good for one-night stands, but we didn't think he'd go this far!"

"Shut up, Cash," I reply. I roll my eyes, but I’m unable to suppress the smile tugging at my lips. “I hope that you are the next brother to be tortured by love.”

“Hey!” Annalise says, eyeing me. “I’m right here.”

“Nate didn’t mean anything by it,” Cash says. “And anyway, his wishes are never going to happen. I’m not dumb enough to fall for a woman. Er, no offense.”

“Um, offense taken,” she shoots back. “You’re just lucky I’m still walking on air from Nate’s proposal.”

“See, Cash? I stopped you from putting your foot in your mouth.” I squeeze Annalise. “You’re welcome.”

Lori pushes her way into the circle, making my brothers step back.

"Congratulations, Annalise.” She hugs her. “And Nate, thanks for letting me be here for your special moment.”

“Of course. We’re all becoming one family now,” I answer mildly.

My parents eventually make their way over to us. My mom leans out and touches Annalise’s arm. That’s as good as a hug, in my mom’s book.

“Congratulations,” Mom says. “Though you could’ve done without the public proposal, don’t you think?”

“We talked about getting married and public proposals before I popped the question in public.” I tighten my arm around Annalise. “We’re both very happy to be engaged. So thanks.”

“Nate, Annalise.” My dad claps me on the back a little bit awkwardly. “Well done. A celebration is in order, wouldn’t you say?”

"Come on, let’s grab some champagne!" Grant suggests, elbowing his way into the conversation. “Annalise, there is a new conductor I wanted to tell you about…”

“Not tonight,” I tell Grant, eyeing him. “Some other time. Tonight, she’s all mine. We’ll all go together.”

Laughter bounces off the plush walls as we get our champagne flutes. I can barely keep up with the excitement swirling around us.

All I know is that Annalise is wearing my ring on her finger. Finally, this woman is really all mine.