One Night With My Alpha Professor by Eve Above Story

Chapter 123 Audrey

The summer passed by without another hitch. True to Edwin's word, I didn't see or hear from Linda or Leo for the remainder of the summer. My internship flew by in the blink of an eye, one successful project after another. I was assigned a new mentor since Leo was gone, one who didn't scheme to hurt me.

In fact, I even garnered some respect from the designers, and the other interns stopped hating me so much. Apparently. Linda had been making up lies about me, which was why they had all been so cold. But with her gone and the truth coming out, things got a whole hell of a lot better.

But, also true to his word, I didn't see Edwin all summer. Not so much as a whisper of him. Those moments in the utility closet were the last I saw of him.

My friends and I spent the summer basking in the sun, grilling, and playing in the backyard. We would have some plan or another every weekend, everything from attending concerts to holding water gun tournaments-in which Betty eventually arose as the undefeated champion-to barbecues filled with the scent of smoked meat and cold beer.

All in all, it was an idyllic summer; late nights catching fireflies in mason jars, reading in shafts of sunlight, sewing in my little attic room.

But my favorite days were the ones we spent at the lake. The cool water was a welcome respite from the summer heat, and I loved floating on my back, staring up at the endless blue sky overhead.

Every time we swam, though, I couldn't help but look in the direction of Edwin's cottage. It remained dark and silent, no sign of life within its walls. He didn't even seem to be staying there anymore. I often wondered if I should go knock on his door, just to see if he was there.

But I never did. Perhaps it was for the best that I didn't.

As the summer drew to a close, I finished up the final week of my internship, receiving a generous stipend for my work. To celebrate, my friends and I decided to throw one last huge party. Everyone would be there; everyone we knew from friends to coworkers to acquaintances, and even the neighbors on our block had been invited.

And so, on a warm August evening just two weeks before I went to Paris, our summer home had been transformed into party central. Fairy lights t***ed in the trees, music pulsed through the air, and the scent of grilled food wafted from the backyard.

I wandered through the crowd, a cold bottle of beer in hand, feeling a mixture of varying emotions. There was excitement for my upcoming trip to Paris, where I would finally reveal the design I had been working on all summer on the side. There was a tipsy glee from the buzz of the party.

But there was also an undeniable melancholy there. Because, no matter how much and how often I tried to drown my emotions in water gun fights and lounging in the sunshine, I still missed him. Edwin.

Part of me, a naive and wishful part, had hoped he would come. I had, after all, invited all of the interns from the program. I supposed I had imagined that he would catch wind of the party and would show up, even if only for a moment.

But he hadn't

as if on instinct. But I looked up to see Gavin standing over me, his expression unreadable in the dim light. I tried not to look disappointed; it wasn't that I didn't want to see

13:03 Wed, Sep 18

Chapter 123

said, his voice low. "Can we talk

worry. Gavin hadn't brought up his feelings for me all summer, not since the last time we had talked about it, and parties like this seemed to be the prime location for old hangups to crop up. I hoped we wouldn't need

still, I shrugged.

me away from the crowd, toward the small shed that sat in the corner of the yard. As we stepped

grabbed me

trying to kiss me like I feared, Gavin's hands rested gently on my arms. His eyes met mine,

about you and Edwin," he

from my face. "What? I don't know what you're talking about," I

"The way you looked at each other... it was obvious you're in

the deep red flush to my cheeks. "What does

know you're looking for him tonight Aren't

in my chest. "Why?"

but then stilled. Oh. I knew what was happening. Turning slowly, I was met with Gavin's

for the judgment, the disappointment, but it never

he said,

two wet noodles at my sides.

like you were more valuable than any of those expensive collectibles in his house.

felt tears p***k at my eyes, and I quickly looked away again. "It's not so simple, I'm

loosed a small sigh. "I know.

after that. The party raged on outside, wh**ps and cheers filling the air as someone won a game

be angry or disappointed.

other, then who am I to judge? Just don't

myself. I hugged Gavin tightly again, squeezing him so hard it almost