Loving the Genie (Genie's Love, Book 2) (10 page)

During our lunch break, Macy and I sit outside on the low wall surrounding Inferno. This is the place where I exploded on Sebastian when he tried to get me a sous chef positon at the restaurant. As sweet as he was, it wasn’t fair for him to get me the job at someone else’s expense. He caused the other applicant to spill soup on my boss. I was hired, but refused to take the position. Sebastian didn’t understand what he did wrong—he just wanted to help get me into culinary school. We talked about being friends, how hard it would be once he left.

So much has changed since then. He’s here to stay.

Macy snaps her fingers in my face. “Earth to Lily.”

I blink. “Huh?”

“Thinking about Sebastian?”

I smile as I stare at the customers walking in and out of Inferno. Summers are always busy. “Yep. So many things have changed these past few weeks. I never imagined I’d be with him. I used to lie in bed and picture a future with him, and my heart cried because I didn’t think it was possible. Now it is.”

Her smile is strained.

“Sorry,” I say, rubbing her arm. “I shouldn’t be talking about this.”

“It’s okay.” She gets a faraway look. Tears fill her eyes. “One minute I’m crazy in love with a guy and plan on getting married, then all that goes to hell. All because I made a stupid mistake.” She bites her lip, blinks, and the tears fall. “I can’t lose him, Lil.”

I wrap my arm over her shoulder. “What’s going on?”

She wipes the corners of her eyes. “He came back last night while I was sleeping. I went down for a drink after midnight and found him on the living room couch. When I woke up this morning, he was gone. What if he wants to break up?”

“You need to talk to him.”

“I can’t.”

“You have to tell him how you feel. I know Andy and I know he truly cares about you. Do you want me to talk to him?”

She gives me a small smile. “I appreciate it, but I don’t think there’s anything you can do. Maybe we’re not right for each other. We’ve been fighting a lot.”

“About what?”

She shrugs. “Little things, like leaving dirty clothes on the floor or not washing dishes. Also, he’s very frustrated with Max. Max keeps calling him, but Andy ignores him. He’s a completely different person than he was at thirteen, when he and Andy were best friends. What he did to Sebastian was awful and Andy doesn’t want to associate with people like that.” She sighs. “It’s hard for him to ignore one of his best friends.”

“I’m sorry you guys are caught in the middle of it. I should have never gone out with him.”

“No, don’t blame yourself. Now Andy sees Max for who he really is.”

“Do you think he’s taking the frustration out on you?” I ask.

She sighs again. “He’s turning his pain from…what I did into anger. I just don’t know what’s going to happen to us. We hardly talk, and when we do, we argue.”

I hug her close. “Then write him a letter, telling him how you feel. Tell him you’re sorry and want to make things work. Tell him how much you love him and what he means to you. If he’s not interested in having a future with you, then—”

“It’s for the best, huh?” Her eyebrows furrow. “You think writing a letter will help?”

I nod. “That way you can pour out your heart to him.”

She’s quiet, probably mulling over my words. “I think I’m going to do that. I want him to know how sorry I am and how much I care about him and love him.” She swallows. “If he doesn’t want to be with me anymore…I’ll have to deal.” She forces a laugh. “It’s not like we haven’t broken up before. Maybe we should just end it.”

“Don’t you dare say that.”

She doesn’t respond and we sit in silence, our heads resting on one another’s. After a few minutes, she says, “Thanks, Lily.”

***

Something is wrong. I feel it the second I step into my apartment. It’s quiet. Too quiet. Sebastian isn’t at the TV or computer like usual. After checking my apartment, I don’t find him anywhere.

Maybe he went out.

Sinking into the couch, I mentally reprimand myself for not providing him with a phone. I don’t want to be a crazy overprotective girlfriend, but Sebastian isn’t used to living in this world. He’s spent hundreds of years here, but he usually lived in his lamp. When he was my genie, he roamed the streets, but he was invisible. What if he gets hit by a car? Or mugged?

My heart skips a beat. What if Max came after him?

I shut my eyes and channel my thoughts to Sebastian. When he was a genie, I was able to call for him. He’s not a genie anymore, but maybe it can work again through his magic. “Sebastian, please let me know where you are and if you’re okay.”

I busy myself with dinner. Chicken parmesan seems like a good idea. As I work, my thoughts drift to Sebastian. Twenty minutes have passed and he hasn’t come home. I send him a few more mental messages, hoping they’re actually doing something.

Just as I shove the chicken in the oven, I hear the door slam. “Sebastian? Is that you?” Before I have a chance to turn around, something soft presses into the back of my neck.

I turn around and come face to face with what feels like a stuffed animal. Its fur is in my mouth. Looking up, I find Sebastian standing there with a wide smile on his face. He draws back, and I have a good look at the teddy bear. It’s white with brown eyes and a red nose. In the center, it’s holding a red heart with the words, “I love you.”

Sebastian gives it to me.

“It’s so cute.” I breathe in the smell. One of the things I love about new teddy bears is the smell. “You bought it for me?”

He nods. “I know how much you love them.”

I throw my hands around his waist and pull him down toward me so I can give him a deep kiss. “I love it.”

He rubs the back of his head. “I wasn’t sure if buying it was a good idea. I was worried it would remind you of Daisy. But I was at the mall and I just knew Teddy would be good to you.”

I lift an eyebrow. “Teddy?”

His smile brightens. “Her name is Teddy and she wants to be part of your teddy bear family.”

I kiss him again. “We need to get you a cell phone.”

“Why?”

“Because I came home and didn’t know where you were.”

His face falls. “Oh. I left a note on the refrigerator.” He looks at the fridge, but there’s nothing on there. Crouching to the floor, he sticks his hand into the narrow space between the fridge and cabinet. “It must have fallen. I’m sorry I worried you.”

“It’s okay. I tried calling you through my mind, but I guess it didn’t work. We’ll have to get you a phone.”

“Okay.” He takes Teddy and taps her on my nose.

I laugh.

He looks into my eyes. “Are you upset I bought it for you? Because Daisy—”

I place my hand on his chest. “No. I love that you’re keeping her memory alive. So thank you. How did you get the money?”

His cheeks redden. “I thought about using my magic to create the bear, but then I remembered it wouldn’t last forever. I, um, I took money from your wallet. Is that okay? Because once I get a job—”

I pull him close, pecking his lips. “Of course it’s okay. We share everything now.” Just like a real couple. I still get all tingly when I think about it. I don’t know if it’s ever going to settle in that what Sebastian and I have is real.

An hour later, we eat dinner. Teddy sits on the counter a few feet away from us.

When Sebastian bites into his piece of chicken, he sighs like he’s eating the best thing known to man. “This is delicious.”

“Thanks. How was your day?”

“Good. My interview has been pushed up to tomorrow.”

“Are you nervous?”

He stops eating. “No…should I be?”

I laugh. “Sebastian, you can feel however you want. There’s no right answer. If you feel confident, be confident.”

His forehead creases. “I’m excited to have a job—if I get it, that is.”

I nod. “That’s good. But we’ll need to go over a few things and I’ll prep you for what it’s like to have an interview.”

“Thanks. I read about it online. It seems daunting, but I think I’ll be okay. I just need to make sure I sound human.”

“Yeah, that’s what we need to go over.” If the interviewer senses something off about him, I’m worried what could happen.

We continue eating. Sebastian says, “I also researched dreams.”

“Oh. What did you find?” I’m not exactly thrilled with him looking into it. I just want to forget about it.

Sebastian shrugs and tells me many different thoughts, opinions, studies. Nothing useful, really. The dreams can mean a number of things.

“I know you don’t want to talk about it,” he says. “But it worries me.”

I place my hand on his. “I wish you wouldn’t. I’m okay.”

He nods reluctantly. “I’m always going to worry about you, because I love you.” He interlocks his fingers through mine, brings our hands to his mouth, and kisses mine.

“I love you, too.”

Something soft tickles my face. Sebastian’s silky hair. I smile and scoot closer to snuggle up to him, but I end up crashing to the floor. The soft thing knocks into my face. Opening my eyes, I find the bed empty and Teddy lying next to me on the floor. It wasn’t Sebastian’s hair, but Teddy, who fell asleep between us.

Sebastian must be in the bathroom. I get up and am about to climb back into bed for another hour of sleep, when I notice the bathroom door is open.

“Sebastian?” I say as I head toward it. He’s not inside. I check the kitchen and living room, but there’s no sign of my genie. Did he step out?

I bought him a phone yesterday. Returning to my room, I grab my phone and dial his number. Ringing sounds from under his pillow. I lift it and find his phone there. Did he go out and forgot to take it with him?

In the corner of my eye, I see something on my night table. A lamp. A genie’s lamp. A lamp that looks exactly like Sebastian’s.

What would his lamp be doing here? I must be dreaming. Rubbing my eyes doesn’t help. The golden lamp is still there. Did Sebastian buy it from the mall yesterday? That can’t be. He would have told me about it, wouldn’t he?

“Sebastian?” I call.

My insides churn as a thought hits me. Sebastian isn’t here, but his lamp is. Slowly, hesitantly, I take it off the night table and examine it. Swirly designs run across it, identical to the designs that were on Sebastian’s lamp. Oh my…no. No! Don’t tell me he’s…no, I won’t believe it. I
can’t
. He went out and will return soon. I know he did.

“Sebastian!” I shout, so loud I can almost feel the walls shaking. “Please, Sebastian,” I whisper.

I study the designs some more, forcing myself to find something—anything—different from his old lamp. There’s nothing.

Suddenly, the lamp starts to shake in my hands. Thick smoke shoots out of it, filling up the entire room, and my lungs. I fall to the floor, dropping the lamp and coughing.

A few seconds pass before the smoke slowly evaporates from the room and my lungs, and I see a form come into view. It’s a tall guy with long black hair, a golden, naked chest, and black pants.

Sebastian.

A noise I never knew I could make leaves my mouth and I slam my hand over it, stifling a gasp.

He’s a…genie?

He’s staring down at himself with wide eyes, like he doesn’t understand what he sees. Slowly, he raises his hand, turning it to inspect it. His mouth opens and shuts, trembling.

His gaze treks to mine. He’s all dazed. Does he know who I am? Does he remember anything?

I take a step toward him. “Sebastian?”

“Lily.”

A breath I didn’t know I was holding escapes my mouth. He recognizes me. That’s one positive thing so far.

His eyebrows furrow. “What happened to me? Is this a dream?”

I wish. I move closer to him until I’m standing right in front of him. He looks like my Sebastian, but he also doesn’t. I feel like I’ve been transported back to a few weeks ago, when I met him for the first time.

This can’t be happening.

“Lily.” His voice is panicked. He grabs my hands. “What’s happening to me? Why am I gold?” His fingers sweep over his chest and his eyes widen when he feels the bumps of his designs. They are a darker shade of gold than his chest.

I glance at the lamp that is on the floor near his bare feet. He follows my gaze, and a shudder passes through him. He shuts his eyes. “Am I a genie?”

As much as I want to tell him he’s not, I can’t. I pull him into my arms, feeling the silkiness of his skin. “It’s going to be okay.”

He buries his face in my hair, his chest heaving. I press my lips to the back of his neck, wishing I could tell him that this will all be over soon. A million thoughts and worries rush through my head, but I can’t think of myself now. I have to be strong for Sebastian.

“I was sleeping,” he says, his voice low and soft. “And the next minute I’m out here.”

“I rubbed the lamp,” I tell him, my voice also soft.

With his arms securely around me, Sebastian sinks to the floor. “I can’t—I don’t under—what’s going on, Lily?”

I shake my head because I have no clue. A lump the size of Jupiter is lodged in my throat. If Sebastian is a genie, does that mean he’s going to leave me? Tears fill my eyes. No. We were supposed to be together forever. I don’t understand what’s going on. Am I even his master?

Sebastian wipes my tears with his thumbs. His eyes are filled with tears, too.

“Am I…” He breathes out. “Going to leave? Are you my master?”

I rest my forehead against his. “I was just asking myself the exact same questions.”

His hands clench. “I knew it. Knew this was too good to be true.”

I massage his fist, uncurling it. “Sebastian, please relax.”

“Now I understand why my magic was growing stronger. Because I was turning back into a genie.” He shakes his head. “I was never really human.”

“Sebastian…” I don’t know what to say. Jupiter is starting to burn in my throat, and I can’t get any words out.

“And that’s why I was sick the other night,” he continues. “My body was rejecting being human.” His voice cracks, and a large chunk of my heart cracks along with it. This can’t be happening. He was supposed to return to me. We had so many plans for the future…

Sebastian draws away from me, his eyes wide. “My interview.” He holds out his hand and stares at it. “Am I invisible to others? Or would they see me like…this?”

He has a point. When I was his master, only I was able to see him. Now that I can, does that mean I’m still his master?

I get to my feet. “There’s only one way to find out.” I reach for my phone and snap a picture of him. Sebastian wraps his arm around me as we look at the picture.

The only thing I see is the wall. My heart sinks.

“So that’s it, then,” he says. “I really am a genie.”

I hold him close. I don’t know how we’re going to make this work, but we will. I won’t let him leave me. I
can’t
.

He presses his nose to my temple. “What do we do?”

I shut my eyes, as if that’ll make all of this go away. Sebastian’s finger brushes across my cheek. “I’m so sorry, Lily.” His voice is laced with pain.

I open my eyes. “For what?”

“For putting you through this again. I don’t know what’s going to happen. If you’re my master, if you get three wishes again. Or if I’m going to leave you.”

I sit up as a thought hits me. If he leaves, I won’t remember him. He’ll remember me, but I’ll forget I ever met a wonderful guy who made me feel things I never knew were possible.

“I have to do something,” I say.

“What?”

I stare into his deep blue eyes. “I’m going to make sure you don’t leave.”

“How?”

“I don’t know. What I do know is that I can see you, which means I am your master. For now, anyway.” He could vanish any second. That thought alone slices my heart.

“I knew good things could never happen to me,” he mumbles.

“What do you mean?”

“Us.” He sweeps his bangs out of his eyes. “My life hasn’t exactly been a walk in the park. First I was a slave on Ortarus. Then I was a slave to humans.”

I wince at the last bit.

He quickly says, “Not that I was a slave to you. That came out wrong. What I mean is that someone like me can never have happiness.”

“Don’t say that.”

The room grows silent for a few seconds.

“I’m sorry, Lily. I just feel so…” He covers his face, breathing heavily. “I don’t know what’s going to happen. I don’t understand any of this.”

“Is there anyone you can talk to?”

He shakes his head. “Why would he send me back if he knew I’d turn into a genie again?”

“The elder from Ortarus?”

He nods. “I just don’t understand any of this.”

I lie against his chest, breathing in his genie smell of spices. For the past few days, I smelled it in my head. Now it’s the real thing, and as good as it smells, I don’t want it. I want him to smell human again.

“Let’s think of everything that happened since you came back from Ortarus,” I say. “You came back with powers. Do you know why?”

He shakes his head. “I assumed it was because I was an Ortarian.”

“And we believe your magic was getting stronger with each passing day because you were shifting back into a genie.”

“Yes.” He places his hands on either side of my face, stroking my cheek. I press it into his hand, finding comfort and warmth in his touch. Closing my eyes, I picture us on the beach, soaking up the sun’s rays. Not thinking about this. Not worrying about the future we’re almost certainly not going to have.

The phone starts to sing. My alarm. I ignore it, living in my fantasy. I don’t want the bubble to burst. Not now. Not ever.

“Lily,” he whispers. “You’re going to be late for work.”

I don’t listen to his words. I tune them out like they’re lyrics to a song I don’t like. “Don’t leave me.”

“I don’t want to. Ever.” His mouth closes over mine, slowly, then growing stronger. He moves his hand to the back of my neck, gently lowering me to the floor and climbing on top of me. He gives me sweet, tender kisses that cause my body to cry for him. Is this how it’s going to be? Will he kiss me one final time before disappearing from my life forever? Will my brain search for other guys while my heart yearns for Sebastian?

Will he stand aside and watch me move on with someone else?

Sebastian pulls off. He takes me in his arms. “Lily, you need to get to work.”

“You think I can go to work now? What if…” I bite my lip. What if I come home and he’s gone? I press myself closer to him. “I’m staying with you.”

He clutches my shoulders, pushing me away, not too roughly, though. “You can’t. You have to get to work. I don’t want you to get fired because of me.”

“Sebastian, you’ve just gone through something, something that might change our lives forever. And you want me to go to work? No. I’m not going to leave you. I don’t care about my job right now. I care about you.”

He doesn’t say anything, his eyes getting unfocused as though his brain left this world for a little while. A few seconds later, he blinks. “I’ve…persuaded your boss to give you the day off.”

I gape at him. “You controlled my boss?”

He pushes my head to his chest, caressing my hair. “I don’t want you to leave me, either. I’m scared.”

Hearing him say that cracks my heart into a million pieces. I’m terrified of what all of this means, but my fear can’t compare to his. I can’t imagine what it’s been like for him. To be forced to work in the Ortarian palace, to watch the prince take advantage of his sister. To try to protect her. To be punished to live hundreds of years as a genie. To be absolved of his crime and no longer be a genie. To be human.

To lose it.

Tears fill my eyes and splash down my cheeks. I need to help him, but I feel so powerless.