Page 100 of Fifth Avenue Devil

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,uniquelyin 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.Everyonedeserves 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 lovesme. 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.

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