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-

simply snorted, effectively cutting me off. "Nonsense. I have

hands fidgeting in my lap

out to be one of the most upscale restaurants

and a hostess in a pristine black dress led us inside, I couldn't

This

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

who introduced himself as Gavin, was all charm as he pulled out my chair for me at our secluded table beside the window 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

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

the top of his

every now and then, after all your hard work this

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

I figured, which were cheaper. I'd have to put it on my

A moment Liter.

I watched, a lump in my

his

Gavin with a cool stare over the rim

flush a

D

Chapter 21

to me this semester, so I wanted to take him out

Forgive me," he said. "I thought you

"Just a friendly meal between... between colleagues Even

span of a heartbeat. He said nothing as Gavin took our orders and left

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 lifted my gaze, though, his own eyes immediately flicked

said, sipping his wine. "you should be proud of