Page 46 of My Playboy Neighbor

Epilogue

Six Months Later

Maya adjusted the lighting on the final photograph one more time, her hands shaking slightly.The Meridian Gallery opening was in two hours, and she was still second-guessing every decision she'd made about the "Unguarded" series.

"Stop fussing," Dom said."It's perfect."

"Easy for you to say.You're not the one whose career is riding on whether people think these photos are art or exploitation."

Dom's hands settled on her shoulders, his thumbs working at the knots of tension there."Maya.Look at me."

She turned, and he caught her face in his hands.

"These photos are honest.They're us.That's all they need to be."

The gallery was starting to fill with people—critics, collectors, other photographers whose opinions could make or break her career.Maya watched through the window as they filtered in, her stomach churning.

"What if they hate them?"

"Then they hate them."Dom's shrug was casual, but she saw the protective edge in his eyes."Wouldn't be the first time someone missed the point."

His career comeback had been slower than the fairy tale version Colleen had painted.Yes, there were brands interested in authenticity, but there were just as many who still saw him as damaged goods.The work was different now—smaller campaigns, more artistic projects, less money but more meaning.It was a trade-off they were both still learning to navigate.

"Mr.Valenti?Maya?"A young woman with a clipboard approached."We're ready for you."

Maya leaned into him when Dom's hand slipped into hers.His fingers were steady, confident, grounding her when she needed it most.

The opening was...fine.Not the triumph she'd dreamed of, but not the disaster she'd feared either.People looked at the photos with genuine interest.Some got it, some didn't.A few critics seemed intrigued by the rawness, while others clearly found the intimacy uncomfortable.

"It's honest work," she heard one curator say to another."But is it important work?That remains to be seen."

Maya tried not to let the lukewarm response sting, but Dom caught her expression anyway.

"Fuck them," he said quietly."This isn't about them."

"It kind of is, though.If I want a career—"

"You'll have a career.Maybe not the one you planned, but the one you deserve."His voice dropped to that possessive tone."Besides, I like having you all to myself for a while longer."

Near the end of the evening, Maya stood in front of the centerpiece photo—one of Dom during their confrontation in the woods, his mask completely dropped, pain and hope warring in his expression.It wasn't pretty or polished.It was just real.

"That one's my favorite," said a voice behind her.

Maya turned to find an older woman studying the image with thoughtful eyes.

"Why?"Maya asked.

"Because he looks like he's about to break.But also like he's about to be saved."The woman glanced at Maya."Takes courage to show someone at their most vulnerable.Even more courage to let yourself be shown that way."

After the woman moved on, Dom appeared at Maya's side.

"Ready to get out of here?"he asked.

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