Page 65 of Fifth Avenue Devil

Her accent is very posh and British. She has short dark hair that’s stylishly shot with gray, and she wears a loose black caftan with pink roses embroidered on it. Dad looks like exactly what he is: a wealthy man in a herringbone sport coat and khakis, who would always rather be playing golf than be wherever he is.

"Annalise," I say with a sigh. "I'd like you to meet Celia and Douglas. My mother and father."

The frosty tone of my introduction is a testament to my agitation.

Mom's cold gaze sweeps over Annalise. Her mouth curls into a tight smile that doesn't reach her eyes. "You can call me Mrs. Fordham. How do you do?"

"It’s a pleasure to meet you both," Annalise replies. She inclines her head but makes no move to shake hands. She seems confident and unbothered, impressing me despite my agitation.

"Annalise is a business associate," I interject. I’m eager to establish some boundaries before my parents start prying.

"Really?" my father chimes in, his eyebrows raised. "She seems a bit too young for you, Nate. To do any kind ofbusinesswith, that is."

My jaw clenches. I struggle to bite back a retort.

Annalise jumps into the fray and easily laughs at my father’s comment. "Age is just a number, Mr. Fordham," she assures my father. “Nate has been tutoring me in all the skills I need to run my father’s business.”

"Is that right?" my mother asks. Her gaze narrows. "I can’t imagine what form that tutelage takes. Can you, Douglas?"

The implication alone ignites a fire within me. It’s a fight to keep my expression neutral. Instead, I simply nod and say, "Well, it was lovely seeing you both, but I have a meeting to attend."

“On a Saturday morning?” Dad chortles. “I’ll just bet you do.”

"Don't let us keep you." My mom smirks and looks at me. “Darling, while we are in town, we should have lunch. I’ll have my assistant call yours and set something up.”

“Uh huh,” I say, not committing to anything. “I’ll see you both later.”

Gripping Annalise's hand, I guide her away from my parents and down the pier. The wait for the valet feels everlasting. My chest tightens each minute until we get into the car. I rub my chest and take a few deep breaths.

“That was… interesting,” Annalise says. She looks at me, putting a hand on my shoulder. “Are you okay?”

I shake off her touch and start the car. “I’m fucking fantastic.” I peel out with a squeal of tires. Annalise scrambles to put her seatbelt on. It’s not until we’re back in the tunnel that I feel the tightness in my chest ease.

"Your brother Grant seems like quite a character," Annalise says, attempting to lighten the mood with conversation.

“Yeah?” Annoyance flares within me. I snap, "You should just date Grant then."

Her eyes widen at my outburst. She levels her gaze at me and scans my face. "Is that what we are doing?" she asks softly. “Dating?”

My teeth grind together as I struggle with my response. My pride twists my words, making me lash out. "All you are to me is a hot piece of ass, Annalise."

I see hurt flash in her eyes before she quickly hides it behind a mask of indifference. "I would like to be dropped off at my building. It’s on the way to yours.”

Glancing at her, I furrow my brow. “I’m not done with you yet.”

Silence stretches between us. The sound of her phone buzzing shatters the moment. Her hand darts into her purse. She checks the caller ID and frowns as she answers.

"Mom?" Annalise's voice is breathless. She listens for a second before she lets out a curse. “Oh, god.”

Twenty-Five

Annalise

Irun through the gleaming lobby of my penthouse, my heels clickingtip-tap tip-tapon the polished marble floor. Waiting on the elevator to reach the top floor is an anxiety-inducing activity.

My mom wouldn’t say exactly what the nature of the emergency was.

But she said that word,emergency.

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