One Night With My Alpha Professor by Eve Above Story

Chapter 273

Audrey

The shop took shape slowly, day by day. Over the following weeks, I spent every morning, afternoon, and evening perfecting the space and preparing for the upcoming fashion show. It seemed that there was endless work to do, from setting up Gavin’s coffee shop to building plush chairs for people to sit in to filling racks with garments to be sold.

“Okay, lift it a bit higher–no, to the left… my left, Gavin.”

Gavin squinted up at the dark wood sign he was attempting to nail to the wall, one end barely clinging to the nail while he held the other in his hands. He huffed. “Audrey, we’ve been at this for hours. Are you sure it shouldn’t just go, like, here?” He gestured toward the opposite wall.

I rolled my eyes, biting back a laugh. “If you’re trying to make the place look completely lopsided, then sure, go for it.” “Fine,” he muttered, “but you’re lucky I’m putting in a free coffee bar. Most people would charge for the grueling labor.” “Ah, but what other coffee shop has free espresso and croissants for whoever needs it, right?” I teased, nudging him gently. “C’mon, Gav, I’ll order you your own big pizza when we’re finished with this.””

“Better have sausage and peppers on it,” he grumbled, although I could see a small smile tugging at the corners of my friend’s lips.

Truthfully, “Gavin’s Coffee Corner” was quickly turning into the heart of the shop. He’d taken over the design of the corner himself, with a small seating area coming together, complete with two leather armchairs and a refurbished side table that he’d insisted on rescuing from a thrift store.

It wasn’t enormous, but it was enough. I was just glad that any of my friends wanted a part in… well, any of this:

As Gavin hammered the last nail into the wall, Tina came through the door with her arms loaded with fabric samples and al handful of signs I’d hand–lettered the night before. I ran up to her and helped take some of the things off her hands, even though she tried to refuse.

“You know, I’ve been thinking about my idea for that LGBT counseling department,” she said, gesturing over to a raised platform area against the far wall. “I think it would be nice to set up some bean bag chairs and game areas over there. What do you

think?”

“Whatever you want, Tina,” I said with a grin. “That whole area over there can be yours if you want it.”

Tina looked thrilled. “Great,” she said, scurrying over to the counter and plopping down the bolts of fabric she was holding. “I’m gonna run to that yard sale down the road, then. I think I saw some used games and books that would be perfect.”

“You need cash?” I asked, reaching for the envelope containing my small savings–which I’d been using to furnish this place. But Tina shook her head, already out the door. “Nope. Your mom just paid me for cleaning her house, so I’m loaded!”

the street. “Loaded” to her likely meant a few hundred bucks, but if

and helping her around the estate. My mom certainly seemed less lonely with her around. And I think Tina needed a decent mother figure in her life, anyway, since her parents had

here, one thought kept nagging at the back of my mind. It was the final piece of my collection for

flat.

catching my mother’s eye as she entered with a large

3

of this?” she asked, holding it up. It had an ornate frame that was a little beat up, but would look beautiful with a nice coat

her, kissing her on the

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and immediately noticed my perturbed expression.

do. I need it to be perfect, but… I

velvet co–ord set didn’t work

hang right on the mannequin. And it felt a

looked thoughtful as she ran her hand over one of the bolts of fabric Tina had left behind. “You could

was a good suggestion. But it wasn’t quite the spark

my shoulder, squeezing it gently. “You’ll find it, Audrey. Just give

wedding coming up in just two and a half weeks, not to mention the Italy trip in six

A month.

time to ‘focus on something else. But I tried

final piece remaining unfinished. On more than one occasion, I would scrap a half–finished piece or angrily wad up a sketch

Edwin and I sat on the floor of my new studio–slash–office upstairs from the shop, sorting through sketches while the others laughed too loudly downstairs, the sound of small footsteps pattered

him coming. It was clear that the noise downstairs was bugging him; he had his drawing supplies

Joey,” Edwin said, scooching over to

of paper and one of his colored pencils. Edwin and I continued to work while Joseph drew peacefully beside

could spend entire days at a time just coloring, and he was quite good at it,