One Night With My Alpha Professor by Eve Above Story

Chapter 21 Audrey

I stood nervously in front of the full-length mirror in my bedroom, tugging at the hem of my deep burgundy dress. It hugged my curves

in all the right places, the sleeveless cut accentuating my arms and shoulders. I had made it myself just last semester, and hadn't had a chance to wear it out yet.

But as flattering as it was, I couldn't help but feel self-conscious.

This was,

after all, a date with Edwin.

Well, not technically a 'date' date. Just dinner between a student and her professor. A friendly outing to thank him for all his help and support over the past few months. Or at least, that was what I had told mysel

And yet, as I smoothed my hands over the soft fabric bunching at my waist, I couldn't quite deny the nervous energy bubbling up beneath my skin,

"Get a grip. Audrey," I muttered to my reflection, raking my fingers through my curls. We were just two colleagues having a nice meal together. That was i

Still, those thoughts did little to quell the butterflies in my stomach.

An hour later, Edwin and 1 had arrived at the Italian restaurant downtown that I had originally suggested. From the outside, with its warm lighting and trendy patio seating, it had seemed like the perfect place for That notion was shattered the moment we pulled up to find a 'Closed for Renovations sign on the door.

"Oh no," I groaned, my forehead falling against the window. "I'm so sorry, Edwin. I should have double checked before suggesting this place."

He merely shrugged, already putting the car in rever

reverse. "No need to apologize."

"We can have dinner another time," I suggested. "I'm free next-

off. "Nonsense. I have another place

fidgeting

turned out to be one of

the riverfront As the valet took Edwin's car and a hostess in a pristine black dress led us inside, I couldn't help but gape at the lavish decor surrounding

This

lightheaded just looking around. Before we followed the hostess to our table, I quickly pulled up my banking app to check my bank account with a wince. Goddess, I thought to myself

Everything from the crystal wine flutes to the heavy silver dinnerware seemed intimidating. I was so focused on not making a fool out of myself that I barely heard Edwin order us a bottle of some fancy red wine "This is, uh... This is

the cloth napkin in my lap. "Although 1

an eyebrow at me over the top of his menu. "You shouldn't be nervous,"

deserve to experience the finer things every now

heat flood my checks and quickly busied myself by studying the menu like it was a final exam. Of course, there was nothing on the menu

just ordering a couple of sides, I figured, which were

A moment Liter.

returned with our wine, I watched, a lump in my throat, as

are we celebrating this fine evening?" he asked, his dark eyes flickering between Edwin and me.

Gavin with a cool stare over the rim of his

off, feeling my cheeks flush a deeper shade of red than my dress. "Professor Hooks has just been

D

Chapter 21

take him out to

me," he said. "I thought you were on

a date!" I insisted, stammering over the words. "Just a friendly meal between... between

noticed Edwin's expression darken imperceptibly for the span of a heartbeat. He said nothing as Gavin took our orders and left us

an eternity. I carefully avoided Edwin's eyes, instead busying myself with my

though, his own eyes immediately flicked away toward the

wine. "you should be proud