Free Loving the Genie (Genie's Love, Book 2) by Dee J. Stone

notice two plates filled with spicy tuna sitting on the counter. Their ticket says table number seven. That’s Mr. and Mrs. Daley’s table. I don’t understand. I thought we didn’t have tuna.
    Deciding not to question this, since I might be this close to losing my job, I rush back to their table and place their plates down, apologizing for the misunderstanding. The guy shoos me away, taking a bite of his fish and sighing contently. I sigh, too, relieved that he didn’t make a big scene.
    Back in the kitchen, I ask the chefs if there is more tuna. They tell me they haven’t cooked tuna dishes since eleven. I don’t understand. What’s going on?
    No time to ponder about it. I have many more tables to serve. I go to my next one and poise my pen over the pad, not bothering to look at my customer. “Good afternoon, welcome to Inferno. What would you like to order?”
    “I have a lunch date with a beautiful waitress named Lily Richards,” a familiar voice says.
    My eyes spring up. Sebastian is sitting there with a goofy grin on his face. I want to throw myself at him and kiss the juice out of him, but that wouldn’t be appropriate. “You’re early.”
    “I was bored. I’m trying to understand the stuff I’m researching about the GED, but even magic can’t make me smarter. I know I’ll get there soon, though.”
    “I know you will, and I’m going to help you.” I stare at him as a thought hits me. Magic. “How long have you been here?”
    “I don’t know. Maybe ten minutes.”
    Ten minutes? That must mean… “You created those tuna dishes for table seven, didn’t you?”
    He holds out his hands like he has no idea. “I’m not sure. I saw what was happening and I wanted to help you.” He takes my hand. “Lily, I can’t create anything. It couldn’t have been me.”
    “Then who?” I search around. “There’s no one else with magic.”
    “Maybe the chefs had some tuna that you don’t know about?”
    I shake my head. “I asked, but they hadn’t seen tuna for an hour. It must have been you. Maybe your magic is getting stronger.”
    He lifts his hands and studies them. “I don’t feel different.”
    “Thanks for helping me,” I say. “There was a good chance I would have gotten fired.”
    His eyebrows furrow. “For not serving a dish you didn’t have?”
    I shrug. “Maybe. Mr. Daley would have gotten mad at my boss, who would need someone to pin the blame on. That person would probably have been me.”
    His eyes widen. “If you lose your job, you won’t be able to save up for culinary school.”
    I love how hopeful he is that I’ll get in. I love how much he supports me. I wish I could wrap my arms around him and give him a big kiss, to show him just how much he means to me. “That’s okay. I’m still here. I’m going to take my lunch break now.”
    Hand in hand, we make our way out of Inferno to spend half an hour together. It’s going to be a long day before I can see him again, and I squeeze in as much Lily/Sebastian time as possible.

Chapter Eleven
     
    On Friday evening, Sebastian frowns as he gazes at himself in the mirror. “Are you sure this is appropriate for a date? It seems very casual.” He’s wearing a white T-shirt and jeans.
    I step up behind him and wrap my arms around his waist. “We’re going to a movie, then out to eat. It’s pretty casual, Sebastian.” He’s watched movies before, but he’s never been to a theater. We’re going to the best one in Brooklyn. It’s a little pricey, but I want Sebastian to have the full experience. Macy and Andy agreed and are very excited to go to that theater, too.
    “Are Macy and Andy going to dress this way?”
    “Yes.”
    He frowns and takes off his shirt. He’s about to reach for another one, but stares at himself. Then his eyes move to me. “Lily?”
    “Hmm?”
    His hands move over his chest. “This feels odd—not having golden skin or any designs. I feel kind of naked.”
    When he was a genie, his chest