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.
Chapter Twenty-Six
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 t
his, 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.
Chapter Twenty- Seven
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. Thou
gh 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.
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