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-

snorted, effectively cutting me off. "Nonsense. I

fidgeting in my lap despite myself. "Oh.

suggestion, of course, turned out to be one of

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 us: polished marble

This

hostess to our table, I quickly pulled up my banking app to check my bank account with

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 barely heard Edwin order us a bottle of some fancy red wine "This is, uh... This is really nice," I finally managed once Gavin had left us with a basket of bread

the cloth napkin in my

me over the top of his menu. "You shouldn't be nervous," he said

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

and quickly busied myself by studying the menu like it was a final

with just ordering a couple of sides, I figured, which were cheaper. I'd have to put it on

A moment Liter.

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

are we celebrating this fine evening?" he asked, his dark eyes flickering

Gavin with a cool stare over the rim of

flush a deeper shade of red than my

D

Chapter 21

so I wanted to take

quirked an eyebrow at us. "Oh. Forgive me," he said. "I thought you

felt my flush deepen until my entire face was burning. "It's not a date!" I insisted, stammering over the words. "Just a friendly meal

imperceptibly for the span of a heartbeat. He said

instead busying myself with my napkin and my glass of wine. But I could feel them

I lifted my gaze, though, his own eyes immediately

he said, sipping his wine. "you should