Page 10 of One of Six

I burst out laughing. "You mean I have wild hair."

"That too." He snickers. "I like it."

"My parents want me to have it cut to my chin. I refused. That's why I'm hiding out here for now." I wince. "I don't know if I'll manage to keep it." I swipe at a tear.

Atilio takes a step toward me and nearly ends up headfirst in the river. "I forgot that was there."

I giggle. "That would be bad. There are sharp rocks beneath, and the water isn't very deep."

He backs away. "Hey,firecracker, don't let them take your hair."

Firecracker.

I like that.

"I'll try really hard to keep it." Pause. "What are you up to when you leave here?"

His face lights up. "I'm going out on the boat with my brothers."

"That sounds really nice," I tell him. "I hope you enjoy yourself. I wish?—"

"What do you wish?"

My heart pounds at the way he looks at me. "It doesn't matter." I turn to head away. "It was nice seeing you again."

"Beatrice," he calls.

I glance over my shoulder. "Keep the hair." He smiles and turns away.

My eyes follow him until he's disappeared from view, and that's when I spot him. Another Redd with green eyes stares across the river at me. My heart thunders in my chest. I swallow hard and briefly close my eyes. He's gone when I open them.

My heart flutters as I go back to the house. I don't understand why I had a visit from two Redd brothers. My eyes drift downwards, and I'm proud of myself for not messing up my white slacks.

I burst into the kitchen in a rush to see Evelyn and give her a hug. She glances outside, then back to me. "You are in a good mood this morning, considering what happened last night."

I bury my face in her neck and enjoy the subtle lavender scent that wafts up my nose. "The river cheered me up."

"Hmm," she gives me the eye, "if you say so."

I chuckle. "Mother told me I had to go and have my hair cut." I hold my hands up to my chin. "I told her no."

"I heard that." She cocks a brow, and my cheeks turn fiery.

"Yes, well, we don't need to discuss it.”

"I've wondered recently if you know the facts of life because I can't imagine your mother telling you."

Opening the freezer, I grab two large cubes of ice and hold them against my burning cheeks.

Evelyn shakes her head. "After what I overheard, I can stop worrying."

"Evelyn, please stop talking before I set alight."

She snickers. "Your face matches your hair right now."

The door into the kitchen opens, and in walks Mother. "What on earth are you doing with ice dripping down your face?" She doesn't pay Evelyn any mind.

"I stepped outside. It's another humid day."

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