One Night With My Alpha Professor by Eve Above Story

Chapter 274

Audrey

The celebration was in full swing by the time the sun went down, laughter and music filling the air of the small venue. Avis and Gavin’s wedding had been nothing short of magical, a tearful ceremony beneath a canopy of string lights and flowers.

Now, the reception was in full bloom–friends and family crowding around tables, dancing in wild circles, raising glasses, and swapping stories.

I’d barely made it three steps into the reception hall before Avis had rushed forward and swept me into a hug, nearly crushing her wildflower bouquet against my baby blue bridesmaid dress.

“Avis, you looked absolutely breathtaking out there,” I murmured, squeezing her tightly. We swayed back and forth, tears pricking at both of our eyes.

“I still can’t believe it’s real,” she said, pulling back just enough to look at me. Her eyes were glistening, and I could feel my own throat tightening just seeing her. “I thought I’d be terrified of everything going wrong, especially since the wedding was scheduled so quickly. But today has been so perfect. Thanks to you girls.”

I beamed, recalling all of the hard work that Tina, Betty, and myself had put into making today a fairytale for our friend. A few secret battles had been fought this morning, unbeknownst to Avis–last–minute cake troubles, guests bringing unexpected plus–ones, the band getting stuck in traffic.

But everything had turned out perfectly in the end.

“No, you’re perfect,” I said, kissing her on the cheek. “And Gavin.” I glanced across the room where Gavin was laughing with Peter and Edwin, already tipsy off champagne. “You two are so amazing together.”

Avis followed my gaze, her expression softening?“You know, I always thought love was supposed to be this big, overwhelming thing with lots of ups and downs. But with him, it’s different. It’s… peaceful. Solid.”

“That’s how you know it’s real,” I said softly, kissing her other cheek now. She didn’t seem to care that I smudged her makeup a little.

beside us, looking at me with a sheepish grin. “Mind if I steal Audrey for a

arms. “Go on, Audrey. My husband looks like

his hands in his pockets, his gaze flicking back to

I wanted to say thank you,” he said quietly once we were out of earshot. “For…

little confused. “For

his head. “Well, yeah, but… No, I mean back in college. When I told you

seemed to perfect together that it was easy to forget that it

strange,” he continued, “but I’m grateful you rejected me. If you hadn’t, I might’ve spent my life chasing something that wasn’t meant to

his words. I reached up, brushing a stray speck of confetti from his hair. “Avis deserves a

swallowing thickly. “I

his arms. They swayed together under the dim lights of the dance floor, caught

turned away, Edwin’s gray gaze caught my eye from across the room, his familiar smile making my pulse quicken. He was waiting, hand outstretched, and I

of this… does it make you wish we’d had a big wedding?” he whispered. He looked a little bit like

all. I loved our mating ceremony, Edwin. It may not have been big or

against mine. “Well, I’m glad you feel that way,” he murmured, his arms tightening around me. “Because I wouldn’t trade that moment

over us. But as the evening wore on, I noticed Tina off to

tattoos peeking out from beneath the sleeve of her frilly pink dress, and she had a laugh that was

was good to see Tina like this, her guard down, really