Falling for the Genie (Genie's Love, Book 1) (16 page)

Sebastian has another surprise for me. It’s around midnight and I’m standing in the living room with my eyes shut. No blindfold this time. He trusts me not to peek, and I won’t, because I want to be surprised. I know how much he wants to please me. I wish I could do something nice for him.

I feel him stand behind me. “Are you ready?” he whispers in my ear, sending chills down my spine.

“Yes.”

He takes my hand, and winds blow around me. It feels like we’re no longer in my house. The July heat attacks me, though it’s not the weather I feel. It’s his warmth. My eyes fight to open, but I force them shut. I’m not going to spoil this.

He takes me by the waist and tugs me to his chest. “Okay,” he says softly. “Open your eyes.”

I do, and find myself in Sebastian’s arms. We’re outside my house, floating a few feet off the ground. “Are we flying?” I ask.

Smiling, he nuzzles my nose. “Ever been to New York City?”

“Yeah.”

“Well tonight, I’m going to take you on a ride to see the city like you’ve never seen it before.”

“Sounds amazing. I can’t wait.”

Holding my hand, he shoots in the air. “You can fly, too,” he tells me. “But only if you’re holding on to me. If I let go, you’ll fall.” He pulls me close. “I’ll never let you go. I swear.”

I kiss him. “I know.”

He smiles, and we fly over the tall buildings. The warm wind blows in my hair. It’s the most exhilarating feeling ever. Adrenaline flows through me and I feel like I can take on the world. Like nothing could harm me.

The people below look like tiny ants. “Can they see us?” I ask.

He shakes his head. “We’re invisible.”

I smile. To have the freedom to do whatever we want without the fear of exposing him is great. I’ve always wondered what it was like to fly. Growing up, I dreamed of having superpowers. I always chose flight. This is better than I could have ever imagined.

He tightens his hold on my hand and swoops lower until we’re close to the throngs of people rushing to wherever they need to get to. Though it’s past midnight, New York City is never dead. It still amazes me.

We fly through the groups, tilting and swaying so we won’t hurt anyone or crash into them. As we whizz by, a few are thrown back a bit. They look to their right and left, wondering where the wind came from. Sebastian and I giggle. I feel like I have no care in the world. Like I have no problems. Right here, right now, it’s just me and him. No sister who died, no mother who refuses to have a relationship with me. No uncertain future with the guy I love.

We breeze through Times Square. All the city lights are beautiful, and I tug Sebastian’s hand, telling him to stop for a bit. We sway a few feet above the ground, watching everything going on around us.

“When I was younger,” I say. “I used to dream about coming here. California is so far from New York and we didn’t have enough money to afford a trip.” I smile as I remember how much I begged my mom to come here after a kid in school bragged about her parents taking her for midwinter break. “Then on my tenth birthday, Daisy covered my eyes and brought me to the living room. I knew she was up to something. I thought she was giving me a birthday prank or something like that. When she uncovered my eyes, I saw the entire house decorated as Times Square. We couldn’t go there, so she brought it home. She spent hours on it and made sure I was out all day so she could put it together.”

Sebastian wraps his arm around my shoulders, pulling me close. “She sounds like she was a wonderful sister.”

I nod, my throat getting scratchy. “When I moved here after graduation, Macy and I came to Times Square and we just stood there, staring. Just like we’re doing now. I wished Daisy could have been there with me. She would have loved it.”

His face fills with pain for me. “I’m sorry I can’t do anything for you. With all this magic, I can’t make you happy.”

I gaze into his eyes, stroking his cheek. “You
do
make me happy. When I’m with you, I feel alive.”

He places his hand over mine. It’s warm, soft. “I feel the same.” He leans down and presses his lips to mine. The lights from the screens surrounding us make me feel like fireworks are going off. A moan escapes my mouth as I push myself closer to him. His chest rises and falls rapidly and I can hear him moaning as well. His hands tangle in my hair, holding my head in place. His lips skim down the side of my neck. Good thing his magic is supporting me in the air or else my body would collapse to the ground.

So many negative thoughts enter my head. What Macy said about Sebastian and me and how I’m just going to get hurt. I shove them away. They’re not going to spoil this for me. I’m not going to think about it anymore. I’ll try not to.

We resume flying through Manhattan. I’ve seen most of the city, but this point of view takes it to a whole new level. Not to mention the guy on my left who keeps giving me loving smiles. Tonight is the best night of my life. After my sister died, I never thought I’d enjoy the world again, but I do, and that’s all thanks to the genie.

What would have happened if someone else fished his lamp out of the dumpster that night? The two of us would have never met. I know I’m going to remember him for the rest of my life. I’ve
got
to. It’s impossible for someone to have such an impact on my life and then just disappear. I won’t accept it.

There I go thinking about it again. I shake my head, ridding them. Tonight is spectacular. I want him to know that.

We approach the Statue of Liberty, circling around it before Sebastian slowly lowers us on the top of her crown. I climb onto his lap and rest my back against his chest, marveling at everything around me. The city looks so beautiful from here.

I reach up to kiss him. “Thanks for tonight. Words can’t describe how amazing this is. How amazing you are.”

He cups my face. “I’d do anything for you.”

“I wish—I mean, I want to do something for you, too.”

He shakes his head, wrapping his arms around my stomach. “You don’t need to do anything. Just be with me.”

“This is only temporary, right?”

He nods solemnly.

I run my hand along his cheek. “I couldn’t have asked for a better date.” It doesn’t matter that it’s temporary. I just want to be with him.

We remain like this, taking in the scenery and comfort in one another. It’s late, but I don’t feel a bit tired.

“Sebastian?”

“Hmm?” He lowers his lips to my head and kisses my temple.

“Today with Macy, you revealed yourself to her, didn’t you?”

“Yes.”

I turn to face him. “Why? I mean, how are you able to do that? I thought only your master can see you.”

He plays with my hair. “I saw the look on your face when she talked about you seeing imaginary people. I’m able to show myself only for a split second, and if it’s to benefit my master. She’ll forget when I leave.”

I close my mouth over his and wrap my arms around his neck. “Thank you for doing that. I know I’ve said it a million times, but thanks for looking out for me.”

He buries his head between my neck and shoulder. “She was a little harsh when you told her we’re together.” He lifts his head, his eyes searching mine. “Are you okay?”

I put my index finger on his lips. “We’re not talking about it. Not on this amazing night.”

His forehead furrows, but he doesn’t say anything. Then after about a minute, “Lily, I’d like to do something else for you.”

“You’ve done enough. Please. This is more than I could ever want.”

With a serious look in his eyes that I can’t decipher, he takes my hand. “Do you trust me?”

“More than anything.”

His eyes intensify and everything gets black around us.

Opening my eyes, I take in my surroundings. Buildings that are too short to be from Manhattan, which means we’re no longer in the city. By the looks of things, I don’t think I’m even in New York. It’s dark out, but I can make out all the things around me, including the shadow standing beside me. Sebastian.

He takes my hand and sandwiches it between his. I stare into his eyes, trying to figure out what’s going on. “Where are we?”

He tilts his head toward an ice cream shop a few feet away. I recognize it. I’ve spent many weekends and celebrations here. We’re in California. I inch closer and peer at a newspaper sticking out of the nearby garbage bin. It’s dated…my heart skips a beat.

The night of Daisy’s accident.

I bring my shocked eyes to Sebastian. “You have less than five minutes,” he says softly.

“We…we went back in time?”

He nods. “You wouldn’t wish for it, but I needed to do this for you. You need to be quick. It’s not a wish, so it won’t last long. And I can’t do it again.”

He did this for me. He knows how important this is for me. “Sebastian…” I want to say something to him, but I don’t think words would be enough.

His brings my hands to his lips and kisses them. “Here it comes.” He stares off in the distance. Turning my head, I see the headlights of a car. Daisy is in there with her friends, moments before their deaths.

This is my only shot to make things right with her.

Sebastian steps behind me and rests his hand on my lower back. “Only she will see you.” He kisses my cheek. “Good luck.” He moves into the shadows, disappearing from sight.

The car draws nearer. Suddenly it stops, like time’s standing still. Peering inside the car, I can see Daisy in the passenger seat, her best friend at the wheel, and two others in the back. They’re frozen in place. They all have smiles on their faces, and the driver’s mouth is open as though she’s in middle of talking.

I’m about to go closer, when the top of the car peels away and Daisy, who is still frozen, lifts in the air. She’s lowered to the ground and blinks. She’s no longer frozen. The car and everything around us fades away. We’re left in complete darkness, except for the area we’re standing in. It’s as if a spotlight is shining on us.

Seeing her after four months—seeing her alive—brings tears to my eyes. My chest feels tight, heavy, and I’m not sure I can hold my body up. But I’ve got to. Knowing I don’t have much time, I walk toward her. Taking one look at me, her eyebrows knit in anger. “What are you doing here?” Her voice is filled with disgust. This is taking place after she found out I had been communicating with her boyfriend. I’m her biggest enemy right now.

“Daisy, please listen to me.”

She crosses her arms over her chest. She makes a move to leave, but there must be an invisible wall because whenever she tries to move, she’s thrown back. “What the hell’s going on? What is this?”

“Hear me out and you’ll be able to go,” I promise her. “Just please listen to me.”

She taps her foot, looking anywhere but at me. I take this as a good sign. At least she’s willing to listen, instead of yelling at me like she did a few hours earlier. Well, at the me in the past.

My legs move on their own, closing the distance between us. She doesn’t back away like I expect. She’s not disgusted with me anymore. I can see the pain and anger in her eyes, but there’s also something else in there. The way she looks at me. Like an older sis who’s always looked out for my well-being.

“Jimmy and I aren’t together,” I tell her. “Yes, we’ve been texting and calling…” Her face tenses. I hold up my hands. “Wait. We were talking because we were planning something special for your three-year anniversary. He reached out to me because he wanted to make sure you’d love it.” I rest my hand on her arm. “He loves you, Daisy. More than anything else in the world. Please don’t be mad at him. Don’t hate him.”

She doesn’t say anything, her lips tight as she stares at me. I can’t understand the expression on her face. If she believes me. It’s too bad I don’t have proof—I didn’t bring my phone, and I deleted the texts, anyway.

“Daisy?” I ask. She seems to be in some sort of trance as she gazes at nothing straight ahead. I don’t know how much time I have left. I need to know if she accepts my explanation.

She finally turns to me. “He
really
loves me?”

“Of course. You’re his world.”

She moves to me and pulls me into her arms. “And the two of you were planning a surprise for me behind my back?” I feel her exhale. “I’m such an idiot.” She draws back and stares into my eyes. “Do you forgive me?”

“Of course I do.”

She smiles. “I’m going to call Jimmy right now and give him the biggest apology.” She frowns as she scans around. “So where are we? One minute I was in the car and the next…”

We’re thrown out of our little bubble. Daisy is back in the car and I’m standing on the side. Her eyes are wide as she grips the dashboard, trying to make sense of what just happened.

“Bye, Daisy,” I whisper.

The car continues down the road. I can see the headlights from another car headed their way.

Strong arms wrap around my middle and twist me away from the scene. Sebastian’s warm breath is on my cheek. “Don’t look, Lily. I wish I could take you away, but I don’t have control.”

Tears gather in my eyes as I throw my hands over my ears, but I still hear the sounds of screeching tires, crushing metal, and screams.

“I’m sorry,” Sebastian whispers before the entire area gets black and gusts of wind start to blow. I’m thrown toward the sky.

I crash down on something hard. A floor. Raising my head, I find myself in my living room, right at the foot of the couch. Sebastian scoops me into his arms and cradles me on his lap. I cry on his chest as the sounds of the accident play over and over in my head.

“I wanted to take you out earlier, so you wouldn’t have to see…” He shakes his head, his eyes getting glassy. “I’m sorry, but you had to stay the full five minutes since this wasn’t a wish.”

I run the back of my hand across my eyes. “It’s fine. I’m glad I was able to say goodbye.”

His hand strokes my back, soothing me. “Are you okay?”

I nod. Even though I heard the dreadful accident and my heart is shattered, I feel like a load has been lifted off my shoulders. I’ll miss my sister forever, but at least she died knowing the truth. I kiss Sebastian’s cheek. “Thanks for doing this for me. You have no idea how much this means to me. I love you.”

The tips of his ears redden a little. He shifts in his seat, clearly uncomfortable. I place my hand on his cheek. “What’s wrong?”

He shakes his head. “I love you, too.” Pain conquers his face. I know he’s trying to hide it, because he gives me a fake smile.

“Sebastian, please. What’s wrong?”

He takes my hands in his. “I don’t want to upset or worry you, but I don’t want to keep this from you.” He swallows. “Performing such…powerful magic—without fulfilling a wish—took a bit of energy from me. Energy I need to remain here with you.”

My heart lurches as hot liquid fills my head. “You’re…you’re going to leave me earlier than you thought.”

He nods, his lips pressed into a tight line, his eyes filling up.

I swallow. “How long?” I ask. He raises his shoulders helplessly. I hold him tight. “If only you discussed it with me before taking me back in time,” I whisper.

“No. You wouldn’t have agreed. It was important to you.”

With my face buried in his chest, I shut my eyes and think only happy thoughts. I want to push the reality away, far far away.

“Lily,” Sebastian murmurs. “I never want to let you go.”