One Night With My Alpha Professor by Eve Above Story

Chapter 103 Audrey

I hefted the last box into the back of the moving truck, wiping a sheen of sweat from my brow. The summer heat was already intense, making the task of moving out of the dorms even more grueling. The cardboard was slick under my fingers, and I could feel my shirt sticking to my back.

"Whew. Is that the last one?" Tina asked, coming up beside me. Her red hair was pulled back into a messy ponytail, little ginger and blonde wisps escaping to frame her flushed face.

I nodded, slamming the truck's tailgate shut with a satisfying clang. "Finally. I swear, I don't remember bringing this much stuff when I moved in."

Tina laughed, nudging me with her elbow. "That's because you've accumulated a year's worth of junk. And by junk, I mean fabric and sewing notions that you don't need and will never get around to using."

I blushed at the mention of the boxes upon boxes of scraps and notions I had accumulated over the year. Tina was right, of course; I had a problem.

But even that small mention, unbeknownst to Tina, made me think of... of him. Of that day in his apartment when he had shown me his sewing room and offered to let me use it for free, and... No, I thought to myself. Stop thinking about him.

"Hey," Tina said, ""are you at least excited to share a house this summer? It'll be like one long slumber party!"

I looked around at our friends, all bustling about with their own moving tasks. Gavin was struggling with a particularly large box, while Avis directed him with exaggerated hand gestures. Betty was meticulously organizing smaller items in her car, making sure everything fit just so.

This summer, we would all be sharing a house. A smile tugged at my lips, although smiling lately felt a bit forced. "Yeah, it'll be fun. Better than the alternative, that's for sure."

And it would be. I was glad not to have to return to my adoptive parents' home this summer. The thought of spending months under their disapproving gazes, doing all of the household chores and being made to work a crappy part-time job just to 'earn my keep' made my stomach churn.

Living with friends would be a welcome change, even if my heart wasn't fully in it right now.

Even if he plagued my dreams.

Suddenly, I felt like I might cry.

"I'm just going to do one last check inside," I said, turning on my heel. I didn't wait for Tina's response, nor did I stop until T was safely back in my empty room. Only then did I allow myself to sniffle and quickly wipe away the single tear that had slipped free, my knuckles whitening around the windowsill.

Tina, however, had followed me. And she saw that tear.

"Hey," she said softly, grabbing my arm and turning to face me. It was just the two of us in here, and I was glad for it, because she was the only one who knew. "You okay?"

concern in her voice nearly broke me. I felt more hot tears prickling at the corners of my eyes and swallowed hard. "I'm fine," I lied, forcing another smile that didn't quite reach

fine. Not even

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Chapter 103

found out about Edwin's engagement, and my heart was still in pieces. Every night, I relived that

herself around him, hearing Claudia casually mention their engagement. The betrayal cut deep, a wound that

anger. My final project for his class had been turned in early, accompanied by an email to the vice dean explaining that I felt uncomfortable continuing

crush on my professor and that I was

him because my skin still burned from where

day. Maybe he was avoiding me too, or maybe he just didn't care. I wasn't sure which possibility hurt

my weak assurance. "Are you sure you'll be able to handle that internship? It's not too late to back out if you

bit too quickly. "It's just for the summer, and it's a low-level position. I'll probably never even see him." The words sounded hollow even to my own ears. "Besides, he'll

way his

me in the present. "Everything will be okay, Audrey. I promise. And if it's not,

made it difficult. "Thanks, Tina," I said, blinking back

for the summer. The drive was filled with chatter

our destination, I couldn't help but gasp. The place was massive, more of a mansion

crap," Gavin whispered from the backseat, his eyes wide. "Betty's family

home in awe. The Georgian-style architecture was impressive, with large windows and

spreading her arms wide. "Let me give

as the outside. High ceilings, gleaming hardwood floors, and more rooms than I could count. Betty showed us around, pointing out the gourmet kitchen, multiple living areas, and finally, our bedrooms-the place was large enough for each of us to have our own bedrooms,

Audrey," Betty said, a mischievous glint in her eye,

I tried not to look disappointed. "The

up a narrow staircase to the third floor, the wood creaking beneath our feet. I hesitated at the door, wondering what could possibly be up here

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Chapter 103