Free Living Again by L.L. Collins Page A

first day back at work.
    “How do you know about the doctor?” Kayley demanded, taking a bite of her own salad. She knew exactly how Rachel knew about Ben, but wanted her to admit it.
    “Your darling friend, Emily, of course.” Rachel chewed her apple, wiggling her eyebrows up and down at Kayley.
    “She seriously needs to stop talking,” Kayley muttered, feeling her face turn red. Ever since Kayley had made the mistake of telling Emily about the day with Ben in Alexis’ hospital room, she was relentless trying to get everyone in her life, including her family, to nag her about him. Apparently Rachel was no exception.
    Rachel and Kayley had met at In Loving Hands Therapy Center. She was five years younger than Kayley and the office manager at the therapy office. She was relatively new, having only worked there for about six months. She was what Kayley liked to affectionately call a “wild child”. She didn’t want to settle down, quite enjoyed many different kinds of men, and she never had any shortage of them around. Tall and lithe with bright red hair and porcelain skin, she was beautiful and made Kayley feel like a frump. Anytime she would say something like that, Rachel would scoff and tell her how beautiful she was. She had been a great friend during Kayley’s rollercoaster life, and even loved little Alexis, but she was very closed lipped about her own past. Kayley often had the feeling that something painful had happened not long ago, based on a few comments she had made, but she didn’t push Rachel, knowing she would come around when she was ready. She often hung out with Kayley and Emily when they could all get away for a girls’ night. Apparently Emily had been chatting with Rachel behind Kayley’s back, however, trying to get her to gang up on her about Ben. She hit the right person, because she was unrelenting when she had something in her head.
    “So let me get this straight,” Rachel grinned, loving Kayley’s reaction. “This smoking hot ER doctor, who specializes in kids, comes to your daughter’s hospital room and gives her a stuffed monkey wearing a tutu and a tiara, practically professes his love to you, the room almost combusts with the sexual tension, and you tell him you can’t do this ?”
    Kayley’s face burned with embarrassment. Damn Emily and her mouth. Why did Kayley even let Emily in on the details? Oh right. Because her mom had sold her out first to Emily, telling her she had to leave the room because there was so much tension in it. “She didn’t spare any details,” Kayley mumbled. “But he didn’t ‘profess his love’. We don’t even know each other.”
    Rachel scoffed. “Whatever, Kayley. He practically begged you for a chance, he adores your daughter, and you turned him down? You’re too young to give up, to shrivel up and die!”
    Rachel’s words hit a chord with her. “Listen,” Kayley pulled herself up. “I didn’t ask to have my husband DIE either. Yes, I was attracted to Ben. Yes, he was very sweet with Alexis. But. I. Am. Not. Ready.” She pushed her chair away and left the room before the tears engulfed her and embarrassed her in front of Rachel.
    She walked from the back, through the big therapy room, and into the lobby so she could go out and get some fresh air until her next patient came, a new client she hadn’t seen before. She put her face up into the warm Florida sunshine, enjoying the peace that being outdoors brought her. The breeze lifted her hair, bringing a smile to her face.
     
    Alex laid out the large blanket and picnic basket. Kayley, warm from their bike ride, downed a bottle of water and sprawled out on the blanket. “I love this park,” she had said, watching Alex’s muscles twist and turn as he laid out their lunch. She could lay here and stare at him all day. A breeze came off the lake and blew her hair back from her face, cooling her. Her ring sparkled in the sunlight. She couldn’t stop staring at it. She had only had it on