One Night With My Alpha Professor by Eve Above Story

Chapter 274 Audrey The celebration was in full swing by the tthe 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 sweptinto 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.

As if summoned by our words, Gavin suddenly appeared beside us, looking atwith a sheepish grin. "Mind if I steal Audrey for a second?" he asked, glancing between Avis and me. I promise I'll bring her right back." Avis laughed, practically shovinginto his arms. "Go on, Audrey. My husband looks like he's got something important to say." Gavin leda few steps away, sticking his hands in his pockets, his gaze flicking back to Avis as if he still couldn't quite believe she was his. He exhaled, a little laugh escaping him.

"Look, I wanted to say thank you," he said quietly once we were out of earshot. "For... everything. And I mean everything. Audrey." I tilted my head, a little confused. "For what? Helping with the wedding?" "No," he said, shaking his head. "Well, yeah, but... No, I mean back in college. When I told you I had feelings for you on more than one occasion, and you, uh... well, didn't feel the same." I blinked, caught off guard by the memory. It felt like so long ago, and Gavin and Avis seemed to perfect together that it was easy to forget that it had ever happened. Sometimes, it felt like they had been together from the start.

"I know it sounds 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 be. But then... I found Avis." He looked down, his cheeks flushed. “I love her more than anything. Audrey. She's... she's my whole world." My heart swelled at his words. I reached up, brushing a stray speck of confetti from his hair. "Avis deserves a great guy like you, Gavin. Give her the world, okay?" He nodded, swallowing thickly. "I intend to." I gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze, watching as he walked back to Avis and pulled her into his arms. They swayed together under the dim lights of the dance floor, caught up in their own little world.

As I 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 slipped my fingers into his as he ledto the dance floor. We began to sway, slowly, our movements easy and familiar.

He looked down atwith a glint of curiosity in his gaze. "Watching all of this... does it make you wish we'd had a big wedding?" he whispered. He looked a little bit like he was afraid to hear my answer.

I shook my head and smiled up at him. "No. Not at all. I loved our mating ceremony, Edwin. It may not have been big or grand, but it was ours. We committed ourselves to each other surrounded by our closest friends. That's all I ever wanted." He let out a soft laugh, leaning down to press his forehead against mine. “Well, I'm glad you feel that way," he murmured, his arms tightening around me. "Because I wouldn't trade that moment for the world." For a while, we danced in silence, letting the music and laughter of our friends wash over us. But as the evening wore on, I noticed Tina off to one side, laughing with another woman who looked vaguely familiar.

She was tall, with a few tattoos peeking out from beneath the sleeve of her frilly pink dress, and she had a laugh that was warm and genuine, the kind that made you want to gawk at her. And Tina was certainly gawking.

I watched as Tina and the woman talked for ages, their heads bent close together, their laughter bubbling across the room as they spoke. It was good to see Tina like this, her guard down, really enjoying herself. She'd been through so much lately- she deserved a little joy, a little spark.

"Looks like Tina's finally hitting it off with someone," Edwin murmured, following my gaze.

"Yeah," I said softly. "That's Avis's friend, Sarah. They seem like a good match, don't you think?" He nodded. "Seems like it." I couldn't help but smile as I watched Tina and Sarah laugh, a soft blush spreading across Tina's cheeks every tSarah leaned in close to her. They both seemed smitten.

But as the night wore on and the guests started to drift off for the night, I noticed that Ting had slipped outside The warmth of the reception hall seemed suddenly hollow without her laughter echoing through it, and a strange pang of worry tightened in my chest. I excused myself from Edwin's side, weaving through the remnants of the crowd and stepping out into the cool night air.

The evening was still; a quiet settling over the courtyard, broken only by the soft rustling of leaves and the distant murmur of crickets. The stars were bright against the inky sky, and I could see Tina sitting on a bench across the way, her back turned toand her shoulders hunched. I took a tentative step forward, my heart sinking as I saw her shoulders shake slightly. She'd looked so happy all night... Why did she seem the opposite right now? "Tina?" I called softly, approaching her slowly.

She jerked her head up and looked at me, and I stopped in my tracks. Her eyes were red-rimmed hecnose and lips puffy het mascara smudging around her eyes. Immediately, I rushed forward and took her hands in mine, "Tina, why are you crying?"