The Power Play      

[EVE]

As we walked out of the store, Cole's teasing tone broke the silence. "Did you enjoy shopping with my mother?"

 

I glared at him. "Next time, give me a heads-up if your mother is ever going to be at the same mall as me. I might need a paramedic on standby."

 

He raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Why? My mom's not that bad."

 

"Not that bad?" I threw my hands up dramatically. "You have no idea how many times I thought my heart was going to give out every time she bought something for me. Maybe next time, I'll actually have a heart attack."

 

Cole only chuckled, but I wasn't laughing. I had nearly lost my consciousness numerous times back there.

 

"You should be thankful it was my mother," he said, his voice serious. "If it were me, I'd have bought you the whole store."