Epilogue

ISLA

Four Years Later

T he bright California sun beats down on me as I leave our new house with my camera. I snap a couple of photos before I begin walking across our property. How is this my life right now?

Moving to San Diego was a leap of faith, but somehow, everything has fallen into place. Asher’s with the Sharks, and I’ve found my stride in my photography career. It’s funny how life has brought us here. We have gone from dating and breaking up when I was a senior in high school to getting back together after I transferred to Crestwood University. Then, we survived being long-distance while he chased his hockey dreams, and I focused on finishing school and building my portfolio.

We’ve come a long way. And now, here we are, surrounded by the beauty of the coast, with everything we dreamed of becoming reality.

I reach my brand-new studio, but don’t step inside. Instead, I pause for a moment to take in this space that we’ve built. This building is my protective space. The enormous windows let in all the sunlight, and I have lined some of the walls with memories I’ve captured over the years. Every photo has a story, each frame a chapter in the book that is our lives. And to think, there are so many more pages that need to be filled.

“Isla! Are you here yet?”

Asher’s voice cuts through my thoughts, and I can’t help but laugh. It is finally time for me to join him inside.

As I step across the threshold, Asher wraps his arms around me, pulling me back into his chest. I’ll never get tired of this feeling of being loved and the passion that we share with one another. I lean back into his chest, and we stand there in silence for a couple of minutes.

“Just admiring the view,”I whisper, looking into his green eyes.

“The view is pretty spectacular,”he agrees, but his eyes never leave my face.“But it pales in comparison to you.”

I allow a giggle to fall from my lips, and I know a blush is coming right behind it. Even after all this time, Asher’s compliments still have the power to make my heart race. He makes me feel cherished, like the most precious thing in his world.

And deep down, I know that’s because I am.

Gently, he turns me around in his arms so we’re facing each other. His hands come up to cradle my face, his thumbs brushing softly over my cheekbones. I close my eyes, leaning into his touch. This brings me back to my junior year at Crestwood when he kissed me in front of an arena full of people after he helped the Red Wolves secure a tremendous victory.

The memory of that kiss and that moment makes me shiver from the thrill of it all. It was another moment that was a stepping stone in the journey that led us here. And now we can enjoy this life we’ve built together.

“Welcome home, sunshine.”

I smile up at him.“What do you mean? You are my home.”

Asher puts his index finger under my chin to tilt my head up.“Now who’s saying all the sweet nothings?”

“You’ve inspired me greatly, I guess.”

A knowing grin spreads across his face as he leans in. The moment his lips touch mine, I forget about everything else. His kiss is soft at first, but gradually, the intensity builds. I find myself clinging to him as I pull him closer, needing to feel every inch of him pressed against me.

When we finally break apart, we are both breathing heavily. I rest my forehead against his chest. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat is just another source of comfort for me, but there’s a question I’ve been dying to ask him.

“Why did you want me to meet you out here?”

He gives me a playful smile as he points to something behind me.“I thought we’d celebrate your new studio by hanging this up. It deserves a spot.”

I turn to look at where he’s directing my attention and shake my head.“Asher, that’s a picture of you. You just want to see your face on the wall.”

He winks just before he walks over to grab the frame and come back toward me.“That’s what makes it fun, Mrs. Bennett. Besides, it’s my favorite. Remember that day? You made me run back and forth on the beach just to get the perfect shot.”

I roll my eyes but take the frame, the memory bringing a smile to my face.“You were such a good sport about it. Not to mention that you looked pretty great in those shots, if I do say so myself.”

Asher laughs.“Pretty sure you just like bossing me around.”

He’s not wrong there. I find a spot on the wall where the photo would fit perfectly. “Maybe a little,”I tease.“But I love that you are always willing to help me, even back then. Remember when I wanted some shots that weren’t sports- related, and you convinced half the Red Wolves to model for me?”

He chuckles, stepping behind me to help hang the frame.“How could I forget? None of them knew what they were doing, but you made us all look good. Even Coach joined in.”

I shake my head at the memory.“I think that was more him helping out because he’s my dad versus my photography skills.”

“Nah, it was all about your talent and skills.”

I let him have the last word because the photo frame is in place. I shift my body so that I’m facing Asher once more. My hands come up to rest on his chest as his arms find their way to my waist.“Well, whatever the reason, I’m grateful for all the support. From you, from the Red Wolves alumni, from my family. It means everything to me.”

“You deserve it, Isla. You’ve worked so hard for this.”His voice is soft enough that his just tone is bringing a tear to my eye.“I’m so proud of you.”

I tilt my head back to meet his gaze.“And I couldn’t have done it without you, Bennett. You’ve been my rock through everything.”

“And you’ve been mine, sunshine.”I chuckle when he kisses me again before he continues,“We make a pretty good team, you and me.”

“The absolute best.”