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.

fidgeting in

suggestion, of course, turned out to be one of the most upscale

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

This

bank account with a wince.

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 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

in my lap. "Although 1 have to admit, I'm a little

over the top of his menu. "You

now

and quickly busied myself by studying the menu like it was a final exam. Of course, there was nothing on the menu for less than

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

A moment Liter.

wine, I watched, a lump in my throat, as he popped the cork and

his

leveleil Gavin with a cool stare over

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

D

Chapter 21

so I wanted to take him

at us. "Oh. Forgive me,"

entire face was burning. "It's not a date!" I insisted, stammering over the words. "Just a friendly meal between... between colleagues Even as I said

span of a heartbeat. He said nothing as Gavin took

was a long 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

though, his own eyes immediately flicked away toward the river

his wine. "you should be proud