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.

said, sliding Jasper an extra tip in an attempt

it back to

sigh of relief and sipped my whiskey,

"Edwin!"

sound of an all-too-familiar voice grated against my ears, causing me to grimace. I didn't look up, but I didn't need to; I recognized Audrey's voice well, and besides,

back over. "I thought you left. Gin and tonic, please and thank

the rest of my solitary evening in peace. But the words died on my tongue

Dammit. She was cute.

take 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 the spot. Can you believe

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excitement. Clearing my throat, I accepted the papers and skimmed over

shock, to be honest. Claudia Klein is one of my biggest design inspirations, and to have the chance to work with her

my heart when I found out that she had stopped designing clothes. But

She wants to have the design ready in the fall, so I'm thinking a hand-knit Angora sweater with a matching beret, and tailored wool trousers, and... Ooh, maybe

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

so sorry," she gasped, her face suddenly turning a bright shade of red.

what?" I asked, although I already knew the

head and averted her gaze to her lap. "I tend

"It's not."

to mine, her lower lip quivering slightly as she murmured, "But

glad to see you so passionate about it. It's just surprising to hear

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 in here, I never would have been