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. "Nonsense. I

swallowed hard and nodded, my hands fidgeting in

of course, turned out to be one of the most upscale restaurants in the city-a massive, glittering

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

This

of experience 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

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

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

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

to experience the finer things every now and

menu like it was a final exam. Of course,

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

A moment Liter.

in my throat, as he popped the cork and

he asked, his dark eyes flickering between Edwin

a cool stare over

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

D

Chapter 21

to me this semester, so I wanted to take

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

deepen until my 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 it, something twisted in

noticed Edwin's expression darken imperceptibly for the span of a heartbeat. He said nothing as

silence that seemed to last for an eternity. I carefully avoided Edwin's eyes, instead busying myself with my napkin and

own eyes immediately flicked away toward the

wine.