Free Love Rekindled (Love Surfaced) by Michelle Lynn Page A

want this to be as amicable as possible.
    “I’d love to. What time?”
    “Five o’clock. I’ll text you the address. There will be a list of instructions on the counter for you when you get here.”
    “I got it. I’m an adult.” He laughs, but whether he knows it or not, this is a huge step for me.
    “I know, it’s just . . . Okay, I’m going to tell her daycare provider you’ll be picking her up.”
    “Sounds good. Get some sleep.”
    “Good night, Brad.” I wish I could stay on the phone with him all night, but I can’t let him in completely, and after talking with him for just a little bit, I know it would be too easy. He’ll slide back into my heart without me even knowing it.
    “Good night.” I move to hang up.
    “Wait, Taylor?”
    “Yeah.” I bring the phone back to my ear.
    “Thank you.” His voice is humble and gracious. Everything I’d hoped for in this moment.
    “You’re welcome.”
    We finally hang up, and I lay in bed wondering if it’s even possible for me to fight my feelings for him.

    “Mama!” A small hand smacks my face.
    I bolt up, my heart racing. My eyes fly to the monitor to see it’s disappeared from my bedside. Then I find a tall figure in my doorframe, still dressed in his clothes from the night before and a smirk plastered on his boyish face.
    “Good morning,” I say to Em, pulling her small body to mine.
    “Sorry.” Sam’s voice is low as he walks into the room and hesitantly sits on the edge of the bed. “I made you breakfast.” His eyes cast down to the floor, and I hate the fact that I’m part of the reason he feels this way. Us Delaney girls have taken his heart for granted too many times in his life.
    “Okay. I have the late shift today.”
    He looks up with hurt in his eyes. “I know.”
    Of course he does, he probably knows my schedule better than me. The room quiets, and lucky for us, we have an almost two-year-old to break the silence.
    “Play!” she demands, jumping on my bed. I hold her hand as she catapults from my mattress and falls down into the softness.
    Sam smiles at her. “Let’s give Mommy time to get ready.” He holds his arms out for her and she bounces over to him until she’s secure in his arms.
    “I’ll be right down,” I say, covering myself as much as I can. No need to show off what little cleavage I have.
    They leave and I throw off my covers and move into my bathroom. I grab some yoga pants and a T-shirt, figuring I’ll shower during her naptime.
    By the time I reach the bottom of the stairs, Em is laughing uncontrollably and Sam is doing his elevator impersonation where he disappears around the wall. It’s like a jab to the chest knowing Sam will have to step back in order for Brad to come forward. I’ve worked the angle, and there’s no doubt about it. Then again, ultimately, Sam knew his time with Em was going to be cut short.
    Looking around, I notice the blanket is folded up nicely and swung over the chair again. Em’s toys are strewn around, and I wonder how long they’ve been awake. Sam catches me coming from the corner of his eye, and he rushes over to give Em a kiss on the cheek.
    “Gotta go, I’m late.”
    “Sam, wait.” I eye Em to see she’s busy trying to use her fork to pick up her pancakes.
    I follow him to the door, but he’s moving so fast, I barely catch him before he escapes.
    “Sam,” I plead. He inhales a deep breath and looks over my shoulder instead meeting my eyes. “We need to talk.”
    “I get it, Tay, and I’m sorry for barging in last night.”
    “He’s her father.”
    He looks outside to the lawn covered with fallen leaves.
    “That’s not all,” he mumbles, probably hoping I don’t hear him.
    “Don’t, Sam.”
    “Don’t what, Tay? Don’t call you out for still loving someone who threw you to the side for a piece of pussy.” His eyes meet mine, red and fierce. I step back and he shakes his head. “It’s the truth. You never even thought about us because you might