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 have another place in

hard and nodded, my hands fidgeting in

of

along the riverfront As the valet took Edwin's car and a hostess in a pristine black dress led us inside, I couldn't help

This

far out of my realm 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

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

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

arched an eyebrow at me over the top of his menu. "You

"You deserve to experience the finer things every now and then, after all your hard work

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

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

A moment Liter.

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

we celebrating this fine evening?" he asked, his

with a cool stare over the rim

not ingriber like that," 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

us. "Oh. Forgive me," he said. "I thought you

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 nothing as

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

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

sipping his wine. "you