One Night With My Alpha Professor by Eve Above Story

Chapter 30

Edwin

I strode through the familiar layout of the dimly lit bar, my usual spot at the end of the counter already waiting for me. The bartender, a mustached older man named Jasper who had been working here as long as I had been dining here, glanced up as I approached and greeted me with a knowing nod.

"Evening, Alpha Brooks," he rumbled, already reaching for the bottle of fine whiskey I preferred. "The usual?"

"Please," I replied, slipping onto the leather barstool and casting a glance around the restaurant. My gaze landed on the jazz singer at the far end, a woman wearing a sparkling red dress who always had a lovely voice but had declined my advances before.

It was a weekly ritual for me, coming here to unwind after a long week-the same drink, the same meal, the same seat, the same solitude. I had been coming here for years and had never changed my routine.

But tonight, as Jasper set the glass in front of me and put in my order for a medium rare ribeye, I couldn't help but notice the curious glint in his gaze.

Here we go, I thought to myself. Jasper knew at this point not to bother with conversation, but it seemed I wouldn't be so lucky tonight. I had already earned a few glances earlier when I had been walking in with Audrey on my arm, and although I had left her with Claudia, the glances had stuck.

"So," he began, leaning casually against the bar, "I heard you caused quite the commotion with the Luna of Silverbite

earlier."

I arched an eyebrow, taking a slow sip of my drink. "Did you now?"

Jasper chuckled dryly. "Look, I don't want to pry. But one moment you were marching over there, and the next a girl was being dragged out by security."

I fought the urge to roll my eyes. I had hoped that that little incident had gone mostly unnoticed, or at least that my involvement in it had, but apparently not.

I said, sliding Jasper an

chuckled, then slid it back to me. "No need,

away. I let out a small sigh of relief and sipped my whiskey, letting the amber liquid burn

"Edwin!"

look up, but I didn't need to; I recognized

glad I found you," she said, waving the bartender back over. "I thought you

my solitary evening in peace. But the words died on my tongue as she turned toward me,

Dammit. She was cute.

it your meeting with Claudia went well?"

lit up, and she eagerly began rifling through her bag. "It went amazing!" she gushed, withdrawing a crisp document and thrusting it toward me. "She offered me a contract on

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fingers trembled with barely contained excitement. Clearing my throat, I accepted the papers and skimmed over the contents. "Well, I'll be," I murmured, unable to keep the hint of pride from creeping into my voice. "Nicely

of my biggest design inspirations, and to have the chance to work with her directly..." She shook her head, letting out a giddy little laugh. "I just can't believe it." I couldn't help but chuckle at her infectious enthusiasm. "You

am!" she exclaimed. "I've always loved Ms. Klein's work. She's my biggest hero, next to Brooks Designs of course, and it broke my heart when I found

ready in the fall, so I'm thinking a hand-knit Angora sweater with a

there, shocked, as Audrey prattled on about her design. It wasn't until a few minutes later, when she paused only to breathe and saw me sitting there with my mouth hanging open, that she clapped her hand over her own

gasped, her face suddenly turning a bright shade of red. "I'm

asked, although I already knew the

lap. "I tend to ramble when I'm excited about something.

"It's not."

eyes snapped up to mine, her lower lip

whiskey. "I'm glad to see you so passionate about it. It's just surprising

smile tugging at the corners of her lips as she fiddled with her fingers in her lap. Then, lowering her voice slightly, she leaned in a bit closer. "I have you to thank, really. If you hadn't brought me