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-

me off. "Nonsense. I have another place

and nodded, my hands fidgeting in my lap despite myself.

turned out to be one of the

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 floors,

This

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 phone so Edwin couldn't see the fact that my bank account barely had triple digits. How the hell am

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 so focused on not making a

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

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

finer things every now and then, after

it was a

couple of sides, I figured, which were cheaper. I'd have

A moment Liter.

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

he asked, his dark eyes flickering between Edwin and

cool stare over the rim of his wine

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

D

Chapter 21

so I wanted to take him out to dinner as a thank-you for

us. "Oh. Forgive me,"

"Just a friendly meal between... between colleagues Even as I said it, something twisted in the pit of

for the span of a heartbeat. He said nothing as Gavin took

for an eternity. I carefully avoided Edwin's eyes, instead busying myself with my napkin

lifted my gaze, though, his own eyes immediately flicked away toward the river

said, sipping his wine. "you