One Night With My Alpha Professor by Eve Above Story

Chapter 277

Audrey

The morning of the show was a frenzy. No, more than a frenzy. It was complete and utter chaos.

I spent the entire morning from sunup to noon running endlessly from one end of the venue to the other, desperately trying to make sure every last detail was perfect. The racks were lined with clothes, models and stylists bustling about, and all I could think about was how one tiny thing going wrong would ruin everything.

A misplaced hem. The wrong lighting. A dress out of line. Every possibility spun through my head, tangling up in knots. And the fact that I’d hardly slept last night didn’t help any.

I was somewhere between the back dressing room and the main area when my mother appeared out of nowhere in a rush of blonde hair and sweet perfume. She stepped in my way, physically blocking me from rushing past her.

“Audrey.” She put a gentle hand on my arm and stopped me in my tracks. “You need to breathe.”

“I am breathing,” I said, but it came out shaky, and I could tell that she knew I was lying.

She just shook her head and wrapped her arms around me, tugging me close. The smell of her perfume and the soft silk of her blouse enveloped me, and I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.

“You’ve done everything you can, sweetheart,” she murmured, stroking my hair. “It’s all going to be wonderful. Just like we planned.”

I closed my eyes, letting myself sink into her embrace for just a moment. “It just feels like… if one thing goes wrong…”

“It will be perfect, Audrey. Don’t worry.” She pulled back, giving me a reassuring smile. “I panicked before my first show, too. Every designer does. But you’re not doing this just for yourself, honey. This show is about something much bigger. It’s about making a difference. And that’s what people will remember.”

was right–this was about helping others, not about making a name for myself. It

go on and take a moment to catch your breath. You’ve earned it. And I think

nothing else that could be done now. The models were getting dressed, the staff was handling the lighting, and the audience was steadily flowing into their seats. Now, all I could

looking around for Edwin. I ducked into a small, quieter hallway just off the main area in search

He was leaning against the wall, looking ridiculously handsome in his fitted suit. He had that familiar smirk on his face, the one that always made

pushing away from the wall and striding up to me. “The brilliant

I’m one loose thread away from unraveling,” I replied with a shaky

kissing the top of my head, before he

room tucked away from the main bustle of everything. He

grounded.” He pulled a small, crinkled package from

+5

paper, revealing a soft red scarf. I could tell immediately that it was handmade–there were more than a few uneven stitches,

Edwin,” I laughed, running my fingers over the wool. “Did you… did you knit this

you made for me back when we first met. I may know how to

It’s perfect,” I whispered, lifting it and inhaling the scent of him that was all over the wool.

reply before I was in his arms, holding him tightly, feeling his heartbeat steady and

you like

nodded into his chest. “I love it. Thank

brushed against my collarbone as he adjusted it around my neck. “You know,” he murmured, his voice low, “this scarf reminds me of that night at the bar.

as the memory of that night came back in a rush. How could I forget? “When I pulled you closer

steady. He gave a gentle tug, drawing me toward him until there was nothing between us but our clothes. That’s one of my favorite memories,