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-

effectively cutting me off.

hard and nodded, my hands fidgeting in my lap despite

of course, turned out to be one of the most upscale restaurants in

a hostess in a pristine black dress led us inside, I couldn't help but gape at the lavish decor surrounding us: polished marble

This

that I felt 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 as I carefully angled my phone so Edwin couldn't see the fact

overlooking the river below. For a while, I just stared 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

menus. I gnawed my lip, my fingers fiddling with the cloth napkin in my lap. "Although 1 have to

of his menu. "You shouldn't be nervous,"

experience the finer things every now and then, after all your hard

studying the menu like it was a final exam. Of course, there was nothing on

away with just ordering a couple of sides, I figured, which were cheaper. I'd

A moment Liter.

Gavin returned with our wine, I watched, a lump in my throat, as he popped the cork

fine evening?" he asked, his dark eyes

Gavin with a cool stare over the rim of his wine glass.

I quickly cut him off, feeling my cheeks flush a deeper shade of red than my dress. "Professor Hooks has

D

Chapter 21

take him out to dinner as a thank-you for

me," he said.

"Just a friendly meal between... between colleagues Even as I said it, something twisted in the pit of my stomach at the

span of a heartbeat. He said

silence that seemed to last for an eternity. I carefully avoided Edwin's eyes, instead busying myself with my napkin and my glass of wine. But I could feel them on me, dark

my gaze, though, his own eyes immediately flicked away toward the

he said, sipping his wine. "you should