Falling for the Genie (Genie's Love, Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

him, like it does to me?
    As if he feels me watching him, he turns to me and smiles. That’s it. Just a friendly smile. Nothing to show he wants to do what the characters on TV are doing.
    It’s after five when the doorbell rings. I’ve been sitting on the couch for too long and my legs are all cramped up. Sebastian fell asleep about two hours ago, and I didn’t want to leave his side. Maybe I’m trying to prove to myself that whatever I’m feeling is genie/master related. It’s creepy as hell, but how else can I describe these feelings?
    The bell rings again, knocking me out of my thoughts. “Guess who?” the familiar voice of my best friend says. I swing the door open. Macy stands there with a worried expression in her hazel eyes. She throws her arms around me. “I called and texted all day. I thought you were in the hospital or something.” She draws back and pulls at her blond hair. “Are you okay?”
    “I’m fine. Just had some…food poisoning.” I can’t tell her I took the day off to care for my sick genie. She can’t see him and I don’t want her to think I’m crazy. She already looks at me with pity in her eyes and thinks I’m living in an imaginary place as a way of coping with Daisy’s death. I don’t like keeping things from her, but I think it’s best.
    “But you’re good now?” she asks.
    I nod, then I slap my forehead. “I forgot my phone in my room. I was watching TV all day with…” I snap my mouth shut.
    “With?”
    “Myself,” I quickly say. “Me and my sorry self.”
    She gives me a “something’s up with you” look. “What’s going on, Lil? Ever since yesterday…”
    Automatically, my gaze shoots to the couch, where Sebastian is still asleep. Macy follows my eyes. She scans around, at the blanket and TV that’s on with another romance movie.
    Her eyes fill with concern. “Romance again? Lil…”
    She thinks it’s unhealthy for me to fall in love with the characters on screen, but I can’t help wanting to have a relationship like the girls in the movies. To have a guy sweep me off my feet.
    I run my hand through my hair and peer at the couch again. Sebastian’s wide awake now, looking at Macy, confused.
    “What are you staring at?” she asks.
    Sebastian’s head whips to me and he asks, “Who’s that?”
    “Nothing,” I tell Macy.
    She wraps her arms around me. “Lily, I know you’re going through stuff, but you can’t wallow in your own bubble.” She holds up her hands. “You know I hate to judge, but I’m really worried about you.”
    “I know, but I’ll be okay. Really.”
    She nods unsurely and is about to sit on Sebastian.
    “No!” I yell, leaping to her and pulling her back. “I mean, that blanket is kind of…” I scratch my head.
    “Okay...” She lowers herself on the nearby chair and crosses her legs. I’m left standing, not knowing what to do.
    Sebastian looks from Macy to me. He gets to his feet. “I’m going to my lamp to get some sleep. Is that all right, Lily?”
    I want to tell him okay, but I can’t utter a word without Macy hearing and asking questions. I blink quickly to him, and he walks out of the room. I’m glad he’s going to rest. He looks ten times better, but he’s still weak.
    I’m staring after him when Macy says, “Are you sure you’re okay?”
    “Yes.” I sit down near her and fold my legs beneath me. “How was your night with Andy?”
    Her eyes shine. “Amazing.” She squeals. “He took me to dinner, to this wonderful restaurant. Then he surprised me! He’s transferring to his company’s New York office! We’ll be together all summer. And he’s going to go to school here, too, right near my college. He’s moving in with me!”
    I squeal along with her. The whole long distance thing was really hard for them. They’ve been together since sophomore year of high school, so being miles apart was like they were losing vital organs. I hug her tight. “That’s the best news ever.”
    “Now my