Falling for the Genie (Genie's Love, Book 1) (15 page)

I’m sitting cross-legged on my bed with my journal spread over my thighs. I’ve had it all my life, but barely wrote in it. After my sister died, I wrote all my feelings down in here. I was never much of a diary person, but after Daisy’s death, it helped.

Tonight, I’m writing for different reasons. My pen moves in such a fast speed as I jot down everything that happened from the moment my genie entered my life.

“What are you doing?” Sebastian sits down and hands me a glass of Coke. I thank him and gulp it down. I tell him what I’m filling the pages with.

“You’re writing about me?”

I nod. “And everything I…feel. About us and…everything.” I tap his nose. “Which means it’s for my eyes only.” I rub my hand down the side of his face. “I’m doing this so when you leave, I’ll read this and maybe remember, or at least I’ll know I met an awesome genie who changed my life.”

“Did I really change your life?” He gets up and faces the mirror. “I couldn’t help you fix your relationship with your mother. I didn’t help you afford culinary school.” He turns to me. “I did nothing for you.”

“Come here,” I say. He sits down next to me and I hold him close to my chest. “You helped me in more ways than you can imagine. You made me open my heart again. You made me happy. And so what if I can’t afford culinary school? I’ll get there one day.”

“But your mother—”

“It’s her choice. You pushed me to confront her. I was relying on texts and phone calls. Yes, going to her house didn’t work, but you gave me the push I needed.” I hug him. “You made me realize that there is still good in life. Can you imagine how I would have felt if Max dumped me and you weren’t here to make me feel better? I would have been a complete mess.” I take his hand. “You have been the best thing in my life for a long time. And because of this journal, I’m going to remember.”

He gets a serious look in his eyes and pulls his hand back. “Lily, you can’t do that.”

“What?”

He eyes the notebook. “I’m pretty sure that once I leave, those words will vanish,” he says softly. “I’m sorry.”

I shut the notebook and press it to my chest. No matter what I do, the genie rules won’t let me remember him. No memories, no pictures, no journal. “What if I write it as a story?”

He rakes his hand through his hair. “I’d assume not.”

“I don’t care. I’m going to write down every little detail and if it vanishes, then so be it.” I finger his jaw. “I’m going to fight it.”

“Fight what?”

“The genie rules. I’m going to make sure you stay and I’m going to remember you.”

He gathers me in his arms and rests his chin on my head. “This is too painful for us. Maybe we should just…we should just stop.”

I pull out of his hold. “No. Please.”

“You should find someone else. Someone you can have a future with. Someone who won’t cause you all this pain. Let me give you your last wish. I’ll find the perfect guy for you.”

I tangle my hands in his hair. “I already found him.” I haul his lips to mine and kiss him with everything I have. I use my pain to transport us into another dimension of kissing. We roll around each other, burying ourselves in this. I don’t want this to ever end. I don’t want to forget how good he tastes, how soft and delicate his lips are. How they do amazing things when they move against mine.

When we break free, Sebastian brushes his finger across my bottom lip. “I had a special night planned for us. But I see you’re writing.”

I put the notebook aside. “I can write later. What’s the surprise?”

“Doesn’t a surprise mean I’m not supposed to tell you?” He raises his eyebrows.

The last time I had a guy surprise me, he broke my heart. But a surprise from Sebastian? I’m beyond excited.

He grins. “You’re going to love it. Are you ready?” He holds out his hand. My insides tingle with anticipation and thrill. I accept his hand and let him pull me to my feet. He wraps his arm around my waist as he leads me toward the kitchen, all the while keeping a wide smile on his face. I’m going crazy with curiosity.

He stops before the kitchen table, where his lamp is sitting near fruit, newspapers, and magazines. Scanning around, I have no idea what he has planned.

His hands tighten around mine and he sends me another warm smile. A second later, I feel myself shrink, then I’m hurled a few feet forward, heading for his lamp. The entire place gets dark, like I’m in a tunnel. Sebastian is right beside me. I can’t see him well, only the outline of his body. The only sounds are our breathing.

“Are we inside your lamp?” I ask.

“Yes.”

“Is it always this dark?”

He snaps his fingers and the lights turn on. All I see are many walls around, a king size bed in the center. That’s it. The place is tiny. His exotic genie smell overwhelms me, in a good way.

“No,” he says. “But the lamp sensed a foreign presence and shut the lights. It’s just protecting itself.”

“Can other people come in?”

“Nah. It’s just paranoid. Or maybe it’s worried I’ll lose my mind and bring someone here.” He smiles crookedly.

I stick my tongue out at him. Childish, maybe, but he makes me so happy he brings out my goofy side. Smiling, he clasps my hand. “What do you think?”

I’ve been wondering how his lamp looks inside since he got here. I’m so happy he’s sharing his home with me. “It’s cute. Small, but cozy. I love it.”

The walls are painted gold, the same color as his body. And it also has those swirly designs that match the outside. His bed is composed of gold and black sheets and blankets. It looks so comfortable that all I want to do is jump inside with Sebastian and fall asleep with our arms fastened around each other.

“Now you see why I hate it in here,” he says, looking around. “No windows. Nothing to do. Not like your world.”

I tug his hand and take us to his bed, where we sit down side by side. “I think it’s wonderful. Thanks for sharing this with me.” I run my hand along the bedspread. It’s soft, but like he said when we first met, it’s not as soft as mine. I don’t care, though. I’m just happy to be with him. “It’d be amazing to disappear from the world and hide in here forever.” I look at him as a thought hits me. “How are we here if I didn’t wish for it? Is this like prom, only temporary?”

He nods. “I’m afraid you can’t stay in here forever. I’m sorry.”

I lean my head on his shoulder. “That’s probably for the best. Macy will drive herself insane with worry and my boss will want to chop my head off.”

A laugh rumbles in his stomach. “And no one will be able to taste Chef Lily’s delicious food.”

I join in his laughter. Then I take him in my arms. “Thanks for that. You always know what to say to make me smile.”

He gazes into my eyes. “I love to see you smile.” My stomach flips as my eyes shoot to his lips. They’re slightly parted. He’s breathing heavily. “Lily,” he whispers.

“Yeah?”

He angles his head closer to mine. Our mouths are less than an inch apart. I feel his breath on my cheek. “Did I ever tell you how beautiful you are?” He kisses me. With our mouths pressed together, we lie down on the bed. He climbs on top of me and pushes my hair off my shoulder, dropping light kisses down my neck. My head rolls back as his lips return to mine. He takes my bottom lip between his and bites down softly. I moan, my fingers pulling at his long hair.

“For a genie with no experience,” I pant. “You sure know what you’re doing.”

He nuzzles my nose with his. “I’m glad I can make you happy.”

“Just being here with me is enough.”

“I hate this lamp,” he mutters as he moves his mouth to my ear, where he nibbles it. “Makes me feel so alone. Except for now.” He raises his head and smiles.

I sit up. “How does it work? When someone rubs your lamp. What happens?”

“I’m usually lying on my bed when my house starts flashing lights. Then I come out.”

I snuggle close. “How was it your first time? How did you know what to do?”

He stares off in the distance as though he’s remembering. “I’m not sure. It was a long time ago. I guess I just knew.”

“Do you remember your first master?”

“Only that he was a middle-aged man who wanted to be young again.” He shakes his head. “The wish got screwed up. He wanted to be young in his generation, like to relive his years in high school because apparently that was his moment. I brought him back to the current year, where everyone was old. The girl he loved was old, too.”

“That’s so sad. Did you fix it?”

He shakes his head again. “It was his last wish, and I had to leave. I felt terrible, but there wasn’t anything I could do.”

“Is it possible to change the past?” I ask.

“No, that’s why he couldn’t go back to his time. It would have changed everything.”

I think about his words. That’s too bad. What I’d give to back in time and prevent Daisy’s death. Sebastian seems to be reading my mind because he cups my chin. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. I just wish—I mean, I want to see her.” I take a deep breath. “She and I got into a fight right before she went to a party and got into the accident. It was a big misunderstanding. She thought her boyfriend was cheating on her with me, but it wasn’t true. We were just talking and texting a lot because we were planning something special for their three-year anniversary. She didn’t let me explain. She just left for the party. I know I wasn’t the cause—she and her friends were in the car and a drunk driver crashed into them—but it’d be nice to know she didn’t die upset with me.” Tears enter my eyes and I let them roll down my cheeks.

Sebastian gently pushes me to his chest and strokes my hair. “I’m sure she’s up there right now, looking down at you and loving you. She’s not mad.”

I wipe my eyes. “Maybe. I don’t know.”

“Lily?”

“Yes?”

More tears fall down my face, and he uses his thumbs to wipe them. “You can wish to see her again.”

I tense in his arms. “What do you mean? You said you can’t bring her back.”

“Yes, but I can take you to the night of the accident. You can tell her whatever you want and can fix your fight. At least the two of you will part on good terms. It would only be temporary and it wouldn’t change her death, since she would go to the party and get hit by that drunk driver regardless.”

I let his words enter my head and touch my heart. To see Daisy and let her know Jimmy loved her and would never cheat on her. To not have her upset with me minutes before her death. Did she think about all of that right before death took her?

The idea sounds good and I’m filled with hope, but then it all vanishes. My eyes meet Sebastian’s that are filled with care and love. “I’d have to wish,” I say.

He nods slowly. My heart lurches. That means he’d leave. I shake my head vehemently. “No. No way.”

He gently grips my shoulders. “This is important to you.”

“So are you,” I whisper as tears form in my eyes. I blink them back, but they’re too strong. He skims his lips over my cheek. “It’s like you said,” I say. “She…she forgives me.”

“Lily.”

“I don’t want you to leave.”

“I’m going to eventually,” he says, shutting his eyes.

“You don’t know that.”

His face fills with grief and sympathy. He knows, of course he knows. So do I. I just don’t want to accept it. I can’t. “Thanks, Sebastian,” I say. “But no.”

“Are you one hundred percent sure?”

As much as I want to see my sister one last time, I can’t bear the thought of Sebastian leaving me. I want some more time with him. I
need
more time with him. “Yes.”

He opens his mouth, probably to try to get me to change my mind, but shuts it. He must not want to argue with me. I sure as hell don’t want to argue with him.

“Okay,” he says, tucking me close.

A chime echoes throughout the house. My eyes spring open and I find myself in my bed with Sebastian’s arm around my stomach. Sitting up, I rub my head, remembering what happened last night. Entering his lamp, talking about the night of Daisy’s accident, him suggesting I wish to see her again.

All I want to do is go back to sleep, but the doorbell continues to ring. I give Sebastian—who’s sleeping, his chest rising and falling steadily—a quick peck on the cheek before pulling the covers aside and climbing out of bed.

At the door, I peek through the peephole.

“Guess who?” Macy says.

I open the door, and her face washes with relief. She pulls me into a hug. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Because you weren’t answering my calls or texts.” She pulls back and looks at me, confused, a little anxious. “I thought you were mad at me about the whole Max thing.”

I shake my head. “No, I was just, uh…” My eyes move toward my bedroom, where Sebastian is still asleep. “I’m sorry. My phone must be off.”

I feel terrible that she was worried about me. Sebastian and I were in his lamp when Macy was trying to contact me. “Thanks for being such a good friend,” I tell her. “You’re the best.”

She gives me a sideways glance. “Are you sure you’re okay? You seem a little jumpy.”

“I’m fine.” I smile widely. “Want something to eat? I’m in the mood for pancakes. How about chocolate pancakes?” They’re her favorite. When we were thirteen, she helped me make some in the kitchen, and ended up burning them. Cooking is definitely not one of her strong points.

She peers at the clock on the wall. “It’s four in the afternoon, but sure.”

We head to the kitchen and get to work. “So I was texting you because I have great news,” Macy says once we’re seated and scarfing down the pancakes. She looks like she’s eating the best pancakes in the world. I’m sure she’s tasted better, and I love her for making me feel special. Even though she’s the special one. I don’t know what I’d do without her.

“What’s the great news?” I ask.

“There’s this guy—”

“Macy—”

She holds up her hands. “I know you just went through a bad breakup, but the best thing for you right now is to get back out there. Forget about him. Look forward to what’s to come. Meet new guys. See that they’re not all jerks.”

“Macy—”

“Please, Lil.”

I sigh, leaning back. I know she wants what’s best for me. How do I tell her I’m currently seeing someone?

“Okay, I messed up with jerk-who-must-not-be-named, but I have a pretty good feeling about this guy. His name is David and he’s, like, an awesome basketball player—”

I take her hand. “I love you for looking out for me, but I’m not interested in seeing anyone.”

Her eyes narrow. “This isn’t about Max. I know something’s up with you. You’ve been acting really weird. Even the first time I persuaded you to date. You were against the idea. Why? Why are you so against dating?”

“Because I met someone.” I don’t mean for it to slip out, but it does, and I can’t take it back. I hear a creak at the door and when I look up, I catch Sebastian leaning against it. His hair is messy and his eyes are sleepy. I don’t know how we got out of the lamp, but I’m guessing time was up and we were thrown out. He smiles. I try to return it, but I don’t think I manage.

Macy gapes at me. “Wait a second. You met someone? Who? Do I know him? Tell me everything!” She gets a funny look in her eyes. “Wait, does that mean you cheated on Max? Or did you meet this guy after you broke up? Details, girl!”

My eyes flit to Sebastian. He points his finger toward my room, motioning that he’ll give us privacy. Then he’s gone.

I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. I don’t know how she’s going to take this, but she needs to know. I don’t want to keep any more secrets from her.

“No, I met him before Max,” I say.

Her ears perk with interest. Eyes get wide.

“We weren’t…together,” I continue. “I mean, I wanted to be, but he was a little reluctant. Anyway, this is going to sound crazy, but it’s Sebastian.”

Her forehead wrinkles. “As in, your genie?”

I nod.

“You’re dating your genie? Isn’t he invisible?”

I nod again.

“That means he doesn’t exist. Not really.”

“To me he does,” I say.

Her mouth drops. “Lily—”

“I know what you’re thinking. That I’m crazy.”

“Yeah, a little.”

I know she’s being logical, and if I were in her shoes, I’d think the same. But I wish she’d have an open mind.

“Didn’t you say he’d leave after the third wish? And that he needs your wishes to survive?”

I nod for the third time.

“That means he’s going to leave.”

Hearing her say that makes it real, and I don’t want to deal with that. Immature of me, I know. But I just want to be with him.

“You’re having a relationship with someone who doesn’t exist and will leave you. You know for a fact that he’ll leave. Lil, why are you doing this to yourself?”

“I didn’t tell you so you’d judge.” I can’t look at her. I keep my gaze on the kitchen window. Neither of us has finished our pancakes.

“I’m sorry, but I care about you. You don’t have anyone looking out for you. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

Tears fill my eyes. “Not being with him hurts.”

She rubs my arm. “How do you know he feels the same? What if he’s taking advantage of you? Having some fun before he has to go to his next master?”

“Sebastian isn’t like that.”

“How do you know? Do you know anything about him? He’s not human. He’s a genie. That is, assuming he even exists.”

I stare at her. What did she just say? “You think I’m imagining him?”

She claps her hand over her mouth. “Oh my god. I didn’t mean…”

“How could you think I made him up? Who healed Andy?” I’m trying not to get mad at her, but I can’t help it. She hit me where it hurts most. Right in my heart.

“I just think you’ve had a lot of emotional stuff happen to you and you don’t talk to anyone. I feel like I don’t even know you anymore. And then you tell me you met a genie. They don’t exist, Lily.”

I don’t know what to say. I’m worried if I open my mouth, I’ll say something I’ll regret. I need to tell myself that Macy is just looking out for me. She doesn’t intend to hurt me.

“When people are hurting, it’s easy for them to create fake—holy shit.” Her eyes are glued to the door. I follow her gaze and see Sebastian standing there. Macy’s face is sheet white and she looks like she’s about to pass out. She can see him?

Her eyes are the widest I’ve ever seen. She slowly turns her head to me. “He’s gone, but I saw him. He had…” Her voice wobbles. “Golden skin and black pants. His chest was bare and he had dark hair falling into his eyes. Oh my god! I saw him.” She throws her arms around me. “I’m such a jerk for not believing you. Can you forgive me? God, I’m a horrible person.”

I hold her close, seeing with the corner of my eye that my genie walks out of the room. “It’s okay.”

She pulls off and looks at me. “Okay, he’s real, but that doesn’t mean…Lily, I don’t want to say it. I don’t want to tell you what to do or who to date, but why would you get into a relationship with someone who’ll leave you?”

“If you met Andy and fell in love with him and knew he’d leave, would you not want to be with him?”

She bites her lip. “I don’t know…”

“I love Sebastian. I know that’s crazy, but that’s how I feel. He makes me happy, Macy. And he loves me. He
really
loves me.”

She doesn’t say anything.

“He’s been a genie for hundreds of years and never felt this way about anyone. What he and I have…it’s special.”

“I don’t doubt that. What exactly is going to happen when he leaves?”

“I’ll forget him, but he’ll remember me.”

She nods slowly. “What if you don’t forget him? You’ll be yearning after him for the rest of your life and you’ll never move on.”

As much as her words are true, I don’t want to hear them. “I appreciate your concern, but Sebastian and I already discussed this. We want to be together regardless of what’s going to happen in the future. He’s my boyfriend, and I’m sorry you can’t handle it. I just want to be happy, Macy, even if it’s only for a little while.”

She sighs, shaking her head. “You’re right. You need to do what’s best for you. I can’t tell you what to do. I’m going to be supportive. It’s hard, but I’m going to be here for you. Whenever you need me.” She hugs me. “I’m glad he makes you happy.”

I smile and tuck my hair behind my ear. “He really does. He gets me in a way no other guy has.”

“When did you start falling for him?”

I tell her about the prom he created, and a large smile captures her face. “He did that for you? He sounds like a great guy.”

“And once he kissed me, I was hooked.”

She squeals. “Then what?”

I tell her Sebastian pretended nothing happened and how I decided to go out with Max because my genie and I couldn’t have a future. “I guess we’re meant to be together,” I say. “You know, for a bit.”

She nods. “Tell me more.”

And I do. We spend the rest of the day talking about our love lives, including her wedding preparations which sound so exciting.