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

was covered in swirly designs that matched his lamp. My finger tingles as I remember the way I traced them, and how Sebastian trembled at my touch.
    “Lily?”
    “Yeah?”
    He’s still examining himself. “Why don’t I have hair?”
    “What?”
    He looks at me. “I passed the park a few blocks away from home. There were many men around, some not wearing shirts. They had hair. And I also noticed hair on the men who had shirts. Their top buttons were opened.” He looks down at himself again. “They had on their legs, too. I’ve also noticed it all my years on Earth, but I didn’t think about it until today. I guess I’m comparing myself, now that I’m human. Or…I think?”
    I kiss his cheek. “I don’t know why you don’t have body hair, but it seems like you’re human. Well, except for the whole magic thing. But that’s a perk.” I look into his eyes. “I love you just the way you are. You don’t have to worry about anything.”
    He nods unsurely.
    We finish getting ready, then take a cab to the theater. Macy and Andy are waiting for us inside. When they see us, they head over. Andy pulls Sebastian into his arms. “Thanks for saving my life, man.”
    Sebastian’s too thrown off to do anything, and just stands there. He opens his mouth to say something, when Andy draws back and thanks him over and over again.
    “I owe you my life,” he says.
    Sebastian sweeps his hands toward me. “I didn’t do anything. It was Lily who wished for it. I just fulfilled it.”
    I lightly slap his arm. “Are we going to do this again?”
    He laughs. “No.” He smiles to Macy and Andy. “It’s nice to meet you. Lily has told me so much about you.”
    “Likewise,” Macy says.
    “And congratulations on your engagement.”
    They’re quiet, avoiding each other’s eyes. Macy’s hand tightens on her purse and Andy’s leg twitches. Are they having problems? Oh, no. I hope not.
    Sebastian and I exchange a glance. From the look in his eyes, I can tell he feels terrible for bringing it up. I motion that it’s okay, that we didn’t know. Macy hadn’t mentioned anything all week. Has she been keeping it from me, or is this a recent thing? I hope she knows she can tell me anything, just like I know I can tell her anything.
    I want to ask questions, but it’s not my place to get involved. She’ll talk to me about it if or when she’s ready. If she chooses not to, then I need to respect that.
    Macy clears her throat. “Should we go in?”
    We get our tickets, popcorn, and snacks, and enter the theater. Sebastian’s eyes bug out of his face when he takes in the scenery around him. I’m shocked myself. I’ve never seen a theater this big. He nods toward the large screen in front of us. “What’s that?”
    “That’s where the movie will play.”
    “So big?”
    “Yep.”
    We manage to find good seats and make ourselves comfortable. Sebastian sits on my left, and Macy on my right. Andy is next to her, and takes her hand. That’s a good sign. Or is it? Are they putting up an act now?
    When the previews start to play, Macy whispers, “Hey. You’re probably wondering what’s going on with Andy and me.”
    “Sort of, but we don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to. But if you do, I’m all ears.”
    “Thanks. We’re just going through something. The…the wedding’s been canceled. I mean, we still want to get married, but not yet.”
    “What happened?”
    She’s quiet for a few seconds. “I kissed someone…”
    I gape at her. “You kissed someone?”
    “It was the guy who lives in the apartment right above us.” She inhales, then exhales. “Andy and I got into a stupid little fight and he stormed out of the house. The neighbor must have heard everything because he knocked on my door, asking me if everything was okay. I was a mess, crying and feeling so bad about myself, that I told him what happened and said I wasn’t sure if I wanted to marry Andy. Which was a total lie, but I wasn’t