One Night 81One Night 81Chapter 71

Audrey & Edwin

Audrey's POV

I turned in the stranger's arms, my heart pounding with anticipation. As my eyes adjusted to the flashing lights, I gasped at the familiar face, nearly stumbling backwards as I did so. "Edwin?" I sputtered, my voice nearly lost in the sound of the music. "What are you doing here?"

Edwin's own eyes widened in surprise. With his hands still on my waist, he leaned in, almost as if to make sure it was really me. "Audrey! 1... I could ask you the same thing," he replied.

We stood there for a moment, both shocked, but neither of us fully stopped moving to the music-nor did he fully release. his grip on my waist. The alcohol in my system made everything feel surreal, like a dream I might wake up from at any moment, and yet I couldn't help but feel somewhat... euphoric at the sight of him.

"I didn't expect to see you here," I shouted over the pulsing beat of the music. "I thought you'd be... I don't know, grading papers or something."

Edwin let out a slight chuckle and the sound sent a shiver down my spine despite the loud atmosphere. "Even professors need a break sometimes.

We continued to dance, our bodies moving in sync. It felt so natural, so right, that I almost forgot where we were for a moment-or rather, who we were. Taking the slightest step closer, I swayed my hips from side to side, my fingers digging into his biceps. If it bothered him, he certainly didn't show it; if anything, his grip on my waist only tightened even further.

Edwin leaned closer, his lips brushing my ear. I could smell the alcohol on his breath. "I thought I saw you on the beach earlier," he murmured.

My eyes widened ever so slightly, although not from our close proximity. So that was Edwin in the convertible after all? But if that was him, then the woman he was with....

"Do you have a romantic partner with you tonight?" I blurted out before I could stop myself.

Edwin looked surprised, pulling back slightly to meet my eyes. "No, not unless we're counting our current dance partners. Why do you ask?"

I blushed a deep shade of pink, wondering if I had just been imagining things when I saw him in the convertible. "No reason," I replied, turning my head to the side as if that would somehow hide my sheepish expression.

Emboldened by the alcohol and the newfound knowledge that Edwin wasn't here with another woman, I moved my hands up and placed them on his shoulders. He hesitated for a moment, his eyes searching mine, before his hands found my waist. again, his touch more deliberate this time.

"We shouldn't be doing this," Edwin murmured, but he didn't pull away.

"Probably not, I agreed, leaning in closer. "But I don't want to stop."

The urge to kiss him overwhelmed me at that moment. I wanted to feel his lips on mine again, just like that night at the bar when I gave him the scarf. I wanted to taste the alcohol on his tongue. Without even really meaning to, I instinctively started to lean up on my tiptoes, my heart racing like an engine in my chest. Edwin's eyes widened slightly in surprise, but he didn't pull back rather, he tugged me a little closer until I almost stumbled

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Chapter 71

against his solid

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his eyelids drooping

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it seemed that he wanted me. But as I leaned up, I glanced over his shoulder, and my

noticing my sudden stiffness, asked. "Audrey?

on Edwin. I had to get away, both before I cried and

I turned and ran, pushing through the crowd toward

I heard Edwin call after me, but

burst out into the alley, gasping for air. The cool night air hit my flushed skin, but it did little to cool the heat splashing across my face. The pain in my chest was

that if he was here with someone else? Tears stung my eyes as I leaned against the wall, trying

from earlier, approaching me. He must

I lied,

"You don't look fine. What happened? Did that guy do something

he pulled me into a hug. I was drunk enough to let him,

Edwin's POV

Audrey ran away. What the hell

pulled me from my thoughts. I turned to see Eliza standing there with a curious

face.

girl you were dancing with?" she asked, leaning around me to take a look in the direction Audrey had run off to. "I hope

profound tightness in my chest that was impossible to ignore. "That was...

in, the human

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Chapter 71

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dance, even though I knew we shouldn't, and I hadn't wanted it to end.

with.

she okay?" Eliza

and turned toward the exit. "I don't know," I replied quietly. She had looked so upset and had run away so abruptly-something must have happened. "I'll be

away.

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