Page 101 of Fifth Avenue Devil

"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.”

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