Epilogue

Lara glanced through her camera lens and adjusted the aperture.

Across from her in the low-slung seat of his Corvette convertible, Dominic glanced at the sky and shook his head. "As a subject, I'm not that interesting."

She shot him a wicked grin. "I completely disagree."

The wind whipped her hair in front of the lens. Hovering in her seat, she tossed her head to clear the view and managed to capture several shots of his stunningly handsome profile, his smile tucked into his cheek, revealing a faint dimple.

God, he was gorgeous. And all hers.

Still smiling, she lowered her camera, unhooked the extended lens and placed the separate pieces into her padded camera case. She'd caught a few great shots of the scenery as they drove through the mountains on their way to a car show in southern Colorado.

Contentment settled warmly inside her. Last October, when her world had fallen apart, seemed like ages ago.

Who would've guessed that by losing everything that fateful day, I'd go on to create the life of my dreams?

Smiling up at the blue sky, she reveled in the warm breezes that swished through the car and caressed her skin. The scent of summer blossoms and freedom drifted from the meadow they passed by.

A slight twinge in her gut reminded her of the man who wouldn't breathe free air again for a long time. Mark Landon would remain behind bars after her testimony, supported by undeniable evidence, had resulted in his sentencing to 25 years in a federal penitentiary.

Ironically, he might've only served five to seven on white-collar financial charges, had he been willing to accept his fate. Instead, he'd tried to have her murdered, and the justice system had held him accountable. She was free to live her life…and what a beautiful life she had to look forward to.

Having settled onto a long stretch of highway, Dominic released the stick shift and caught her hand in his. He lifted the back of her hand to his lips, kissing her knuckle beneath the diamond engagement ring that glittered in the sunlight. Then he rested their clasped hands on his muscular thigh.

"This will be another great opportunity to sell your photos."

She nodded. "I had no idea car show enthusiasts—men and women alike—would become such a great source of income. You're all so passionate about your toys."

"It's a fact," he replied, adjusting his baseball cap to shield his face from the sun. "We're obsessed. But finding professional photographers willing to capture that passion and make those images accessible is rare."

The photos she uploaded to her website coupled with handing out her business cards at these car shows had resulted in a flood of requests. Recently she had raised her rates for downloads after offering interested buyers with three-photo previews, turning their hobby into a profitable income stream. Dominic teased her, suggesting that with her talent, she might soon surpass him as the primary breadwinner in their household.

Not likely. She was just thrilled she'd rediscovered her passion for photography. She had him to thank for that. "You're the source of that inspiration."

He sent her a sidelong glance from the corner of his sunglasses. "You do know you're the draw, right?"

"What do you mean?"

He tightened his grip on her hand. "You show up with your enthusiasm, clicking away with your camera, and they're instantly drawn to you." He added, "It doesn't hurt that you're gorgeous."

She caught the glance he raked over her bare legs beneath her short skirt, along with her skimpy top that showed off her cleavage. Admittedly, her breasts had taken on larger proportions in the past two months.

"Are you complaining?" she asked.

"Hell no."

Grinning, she said, "I'm excited about photographing two more weddings this summer. After the success of the two in the spring, word's gotten around fast. And thanks for always being there to help set up the gear."

"I've been collecting ideas. Tucking them away as I think about our wedding." He grazed his thumb affectionately over the ring on her finger. "You're my dream come true. You know that, right?"

A smile rose from her heart to touch her lips. "You tell me every day."

"Artists are free spirits. I don't want you to lose sight of how much you mean to me amidst your creative endeavors."

She leaned across the console and planted a tender kiss on his cheek. "That could never happen. I love you too much to ever forget how important you are to me."

Grinning, he turned his head slightly to meet her gaze. "Good to know. Because I couldn't imagine my life without you by my side. I love you, sweetheart."

She kissed him again before settling into the passenger seat. "Thank you for helping me rediscover my passion for photography, my purpose. If not for you, I might've stayed stuck at some lifeless job that paid the bills but didn't fulfill me."

"You have a gift, honey. The world is a better place with you sharing it."

"And my world is a better place since you came back into it."

"Fate has a way of working out, doesn't it? We both followed our callings, and we found each other."

He beamed, and she felt their happiness surround them in a beautiful bubble of glowing perfection.

She rested her hand on her abdomen. "Should we wait to get married until after the baby arrives?"

"You tell me," he replied, his expression filled with warmth. "Whatever makes you happy, makes me happy. I'm all in for whatever you choose."

She sighed. "I won't be as pretty in our wedding photos while pregnant."

Squeezing her hand, he sent her a devoted look. "That's a matter of opinion. I've never seen you look more radiant than you do right now. To me, you'll always be the epitome of beauty."

The lingering sweetness of his words nestled around her heart. In that moment, the timing of their wedding seemed inconsequential compared to the love they shared.

She had all she'd ever wanted right here beside her. "I think everything will work out perfectly, whatever that looks like."

Lifting her hand to his lips, Dominic smiled in agreement.

And they rode into their future with the top down, wind blowing through their hair, ready for anything. Dedicated to a future embracing the love they'd found together.

The worst day imaginable had turned into the best life she could've ever dreamed.

Maybe everything really does happen for a reason.

She was a believer.

The End

Thank you for reading Dominic and Lara's love story! I don't often write reunion-themed tales, so this friends-to-lovers short story was a fun, different approach to creating a meant-to-be romance. If you want to read Isaac Atlas's love story, he gets his own happily ever after in Bedded by Her Bodyguard.

If you enjoyed Dominic and Lara's story, please check out the other memorable books from The Billionaire Bodyguard Series.