Once Upon Series

Cole couldn’t stop sneaking looks at Katie as they drove to the mall. She was just so damn adorable. It was all he could do not to burst out laughing when she came down the stairs in Liam’s basketball shorts. They looked like capris on her tiny frame. Cole held it in, though; he knew that hormone city was only a stupid, thoughtless comment away. And it was torture when those big blue eyes filled with tears. Cole didn’t want to go through that again.

“Is there something on my face?” Katie began brushing the side of her cheek. Katie had noticed Cole sending her strange glances ever since she got into the car with him. When he didn’t answer, she glanced up at him and saw a faint pink on his cheekbones. Was he embarrassed? Undoubtedly, it would be embarrassing to go shopping with her. Katie grimaced. “Thanks again for taking me, Cole.”

“No problem, Katie-cat. You know we really should work on getting your driving hours in.”

Katie groaned, causing Cole to laugh. “I don’t see why I need a license.”

“I don’t know why you are so afraid,” he responded. “It’s not like we don’t love going to your appointments, and taking you places. But I think that you would like to know if you needed to be somewhere you could just drive yourself. It’s worrisome if Liam or I are not at home.”

Katie felt a familiar churning in her stomach, the thought of driving always made her ill. “I will consider it.”

Cole looked over at her. “You always say that.”

“And I’m considering it!” she snapped.

happened to her or the baby? He and Liam tried to be there as much as they could, especially now that Katie was pregnant, but there were times when she was left alone. He knew that obsessing over Katie was a bad idea. That only led to him having other kinds of feelings, ones that he didn’t much want to explore.

you just going to

no way I’m sitting in the car while some idiot in the mall tries

only happened once, Cole!”

to the mall. Liam and Cole had gone to look at the music store. Katie had stopped at Victoria’s Secret; while she was walking out a guy tried hitting on her. At first, she was flattered, he seemed a little older, though, and so Katie decided to shut it down. But the guy didn’t want to take no for an answer; he grabbed her arm tightly, and suggested they find someplace quiet. Katie was feeling real panic when she heard her brother yelling

“Once is all it takes.”

use. He knew that she was responsible and wouldn’t buy the place out. They had been left fairly well situated with the life insurance policies from their parents. But Liam was careful just the same. He knew that life threw unexpected things at you. It was better to

“I cannot wear these

looked over and saw she had a t-shirt that said, ‘baby on board’ with an arrow pointing down. Cole snorted; he couldn’t see her wearing that either. Just then the saleswoman came up to them. You could tell from her expression she was not thrilled about their age.

“May I help you?”

said, “No!”

Cole replied,

Katie to Cole. “How far along

Katie mumbled.

slammed into, “And are