One Night With My Alpha Professor novel Chapter 30

Chapter 30

Edwin 

I strode through the familiar layout of the dimly lit bar, my usual spot at the end of the counter already waiting for me. The bartender, a mustached older man named Jasper who had been working here as long as I had been dining here, glanced up as I approached and greeted me with a knowing nod. 

“Evening, Alpha Brooks,” he rumbled, already reaching for the bottle of fine whiskey I preferred. “The usual?” 

“Please,” I replied, slipping onto the leather barstool and casting a glance around the restaurant. My gaze landed on the jazz singer at the far end, a woman wearing a sparkling red dress who always had a lovely voice but had declined my advances before. 

It was a weekly ritual for me, coming here to unwind after a long week—the same drink, the same meal, the same seat, the same solitude. I had been coming here for years and had never changed my routine. 

But tonight, as Jasper set the glass in front of me and put in my order for a medium rare ribeye, I couldn’t help but notice the curious glint in his gaze. 

Here we go, I thought to myself. Jasper knew at this point not to bother with conversation, but it seemed I wouldn’t be so lucky tonight. I had already earned a few glances earlier when I had been walking in with Audrey on my arm, and although I had left her with Claudia, the glances had stuck. 

“So,” he began, leaning casually against the bar, “I heard you caused quite the commotion with the Luna of Silverbite 

earlier.” 

I arched an eyebrow, taking a slow sip of my drink. “Did you now?” 

Jasper chuckled dryly. “Look, I don’t want to pry. But one moment you were marching over there, and the next a girl was being dragged out by security.” 

I fought the urge to roll my eyes. I had hoped that that little incident had gone mostly unnoticed, or at least that my involvement in it had, but apparently not. 

“I don’t know what you’re referring to,” I said, sliding Jasper an extra tip in an attempt to get him to shut up.” 

“Hmm.” Jasper glanced down at the money, chuckled, then slid it back to me. “No need, Alpha. Message received loud and clear. I was just curious.” 

With that, the bartender turned and walked away. I let out a small sigh of relief and sipped my whiskey, letting the amber liquid burn a path down my throat. Finally, peace… 

“Edwin!” 

The sound of an all–too–familiar voice grated against my ears, causing me to grimace. I didn’t look up, but I didn’t need to; I recognized Audrey’s voice well, and besides, she was already sliding onto the seat next to me. 

“I’m so glad I found you,” she said, waving the bartender back over. “I thought you left. Gin and tonic, please and thank you.” 

I opened my mouth, fully prepared to tell her to buzz off so I could enjoy the rest of my solitary evening in peace. But the words died on my tongue as she turned toward me, quite literally beaming from ear to ear. 

Dammit. She was cute. 

“I take it your meeting with Claudia went well?” I found myself asking before I could stop myself. 

Audrey’s face lit up, and she eagerly began rifling through her bag. “It went amazing!” she gushed, withdrawing a crisp document and thrusting it toward me. “She offered me a contract on the spot. Can you believe it? She wants to commission me to design something new.” 

7:40 PM 1 

Chapter 30 

I blinked, my gaze momentarily drawn to the way her fingers trembled with barely contained excitement. Clearing my throat, I accepted the papers and skimmed over the contents. “Well, I’ll be,” I murmured, unable to keep the hint of pride from creeping into my voice. “Nicely done, Miss Thatcher.” 

I felt a faint warmth creeping up the back of my neck at her words, and I quickly averted my gaze, taking another sip of my whiskey. “Nonsense,” I muttered. “I was merely-”