Page 108 of Michael: The Hawthornes

“It’s so short,” I whispered, regret burning in my stomach as I tried not to cry.

“I think it looks beautiful,” he whispered back, smiling. “Sexy.”

“Shut up.”

“Not kiddin’,” he said, resting his hands on my thighs. “I like it.”

“Really?”

“Really, sugar.” His eyes roamed over me. “It makes your eyes look huge.”

“That’s a good thing?”

“Reminds me of when we were kids and you were all wide-eyed and innocent,” he said softly.

“I feel like this is going to venture into mushy can’t-live-without-you territory, so I’m out,” Charlie announced with a chuckle. She kissed her mom and Callie goodbye before waving at the group and sauntering out of the kitchen. Michael stood back up as one by one the women followed her, saying their goodbyes and giving hugs. Eventually, it was only me, Michael, Callie, Heather, and Molly in the kitchen.

“Reb’s in playing with Rhett,” Molly explained with a small smile. “I figured I’d give her a few more minutes of baby time before I headed out.”

“She’s so good with him,” I said, glancing toward the living room.

“She’s always been good with babies,” Molly replied wistfully. “I kind of always wished that we would’ve given her some siblings to love on.”

“She’s never been short on cousins,” Callie said consolingly, patting Molly’s hand.

“Very true.”

“It looks good,” Heather said, pulling my attention to her perch on the counter.

“Really?” I asked, running my fingers through the short strands of hair. I felt bald.

“Really,” she replied. “It suits you.”

“Thanks.” My voice broke on the word, and I covered my face in embarrassment as I started to cry.

Heather telling me my hairsuited mejust like she had every time I’d shown up with a new home haircut seemed to open the floodgates. I cried so hard that I got the hiccups. I cried so hard that I didn’t even hear when Rhett came into the kitchen until he called my name.

“Mama?” he asked in confusion, his face screwed up like he was going to start crying too. “Mama hurt?”

“I’m okay, buddy,” I said, trying to catch my breath as I pulled him onto my lap.

“Hair,” he murmured, reaching up to touch it. “Mama hair.”

“I got a haircut,” I said, wiping at my face with one hand while I held him steady with the other. “Do you like it?”

“No.”

“Out of the mouth of babes,” Molly said ruefully, making Callie and Heather laugh.

“Me cut,” Rhett demanded, reaching for his own hair.

“Let’s wait on that,” I said, pulling his hand back down and kissing it. “You don’t have enough to cut yet.”

“When your hair gets a little longer, we’ll go together,” Michael said. “Sound good?”

“No.” Rhett pouted.

“Well, I like your hair,” Rebel said sweetly. “It looks sassy.”

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