Page 4 of The Genie’s Wish (Harmony Glen #10)

Chapter Four

ARMAN

As I enter the market store, my eyes instantly find her—Pinky. She’s looking through some egg cartons, studying them so closely she seems oblivious to the world around her.

I can’t help but appreciate her figure. Her curves go on for miles, making my mouth water. She has the most perfect physique, a form no one else can even try to compete with.

I walk toward her, my footsteps alerting her of my approach. When she turns, those big, perfect eyes stare widely at me. Gods, she’s so beautiful.

My only wish is for her to be mine—and with the help of her best friend, hopefully, one day she will be.

When I got a text this morning from an unknown number telling me I should go to Harmony Market in the afternoon today, I just knew that it was the shadow demon giving me a nudge in the right direction.

How she got my number, though, remains a mystery. I’m not going to dwell on it. Shadow demons are known to be sneaky, so I’m not overly surprised.

There was a second text saying that if I want her help, I owe her a genuine wish—not some trick. While it pains me to think of such a thing, I sent back a text of agreeance.

Raya is worth it, I can tell.

“Pinky, I’m so glad I ran into you.” I smile at her.

Her eyes flick over me quickly, and her lips thin. “Go away—I don’t have anything to say to you.”

“That’s fine, you can just listen then. Let me explain what happened the other day,” I practically plead.

She takes a deep breath, her shoulders falling as she sighs. “Fine.”

Wait, really? That easily? I wasn’t prepared for this, though I should’ve been.

“I guess there’s more to explain than just the other day.” I rub the back of my neck. “How much time do you have?”

She rolls her eyes. “Not that much. You have about thirty seconds until I walk away.”

All the alarm bells are going off in my head—if I don’t say the right thing, right now, getting her to trust me will only be that much harder.

“I have a habit of taking wishes too far,” I admit, my shoulders falling as I let out a breath. “It’s why I left the last city I was in—I made a few too many people angry, including this particularly threatening incubus, and had to leave while it cools off.”

She stares at me, gripping the egg cartons tightly in her hands. Much to my surprise, she doesn’t bolt away. She remains in her place, lips straight and eyes wide.

Taking the chance, I keep talking, the words leaving me quicker than my brain can process. “Wish granting is my job, but it’s more than that—it’s part of me. I can’t just stop doing it, and somehow, I take every wish too far, even if I don’t want to.”

“And did you want to take that man’s wish that far?” she asks, still staring widely at me.

My insides feel…a way they never feel. My stomach hurts, but I haven’t eaten anything strange. There’s a slight tightness in my chest, and my heart feels like it’s picked up pace a bit.

What is this?

I try to ignore it, forcing out my answer, “I did in that case—but I swear, there have been times I didn’t.”

“Well, I would hope so,” she scoffs, tossing her head to move some of her hair. “Otherwise, you’d be a pretty shit genie.”

I’m taken aback by the bluntness that Pinky is showing now. She seemed so shy and reserved, but she’s got this spunky side. It draws me even more to her.

Nodding, I let out a laugh. “I suppose you’d be right about that. I’m not a shit genie, though. Not all the time.”

“When aren’t you?” she presses.

Instead of answering her question, I give her a flirty smile and point out, “I thought you didn’t have that much time.”

Her cheeks flush with color, and it makes my heart skip a beat. She’s blushing, which is a really good sign for me.

“You’re right, I better get going.” She hurries past me before I can even protest.

Wait, this is not good anymore. No good at all. I need to fix my mistake— again .

I spin on my heel, walking quickly until I’m in step with her. “Pinky, wait—I was enjoying our chat.”

“I never said I was.” She doesn’t turn her head to look at me as she heads toward the cash register.

“How about this…” I get a few steps ahead until I’m in front of her, walking backward and looking into her eyes. “Let me take you to dinner and finish explaining myself.”

She stops abruptly, and I have to pump the brakes so there’s not too much distance between us. Her lips smush together, and her shoulders are slightly scrunched.

She lets out a sigh before grudgingly agreeing. “When?”

Holy shit— when ? That means yes .

“Tomorrow night?” I answer before she has time to really think and change her mind.

Once again, she smushes her lips together. “Fine.”

I can’t hide my relief; my smile plastered on my face. By some miracle, she’s making this easier for me than expected.

“Brady’s Diner at six o’clock?” I want to lock things in as quickly as possible.

She nods. “Sounds like a plan.”

With that, she walks past me, heading toward the checkout. I don’t follow her—I already pushed my luck, and I’m happy with the result. I don’t want to ruin this.

When she reaches the counter, I see her pull out her phone, furiously typing something into it. That’s the last thing I see her do before I turn and make my way out of the farm market.

Now, I all I can do is wait—and go to her friend’s store to try to see what other help she’s willing to give me.

“What are you doing here?” The shadow demon woman groans as I enter her shop.

Rolling my eyes, I remind her, “I could be a customer, you know.”

She shakes her head. “No, you couldn’t. What do you want? Did you go to the market?”

“Yes, and I’m taking Raya to dinner tomorrow,” I inform her with a grin.

Her eyes light up, her posture straightening. “Really?”

I nod at her. “Why would I lie?”

“Well, you did make a man’s penis explode out of his pants, so…who knows what else you’ll do.” She crinkles her nose, crossing her arms in front of her. “Which reminds me—if you hurt Raya, I’ll hurt you. That’s a promise.”

A small lump forms in my throat. Definitely not interested in being on the receiving end of a shadow demon’s wrath—not again.

“I have no intention of hurting her.” I try to reassure her before I push my luck by asking, “Any tips to help me win her over on the date?”

“You know, I’m her best friend. Not yours,” she reminds me, leaning back on the counter. “I’m not telling you shit about her. If it’s not a natural connection, then, sucks to be you.”

I give her a plain look. “I’m telling you, this is a genuine connection. At least, on my end.”

She just nods at me, looking me over in silence. I turn, making my way back to the door. When I reach it, though, I pause.

“Why did you help me today?” My curiosity gets the better of me. “But now you’re opposed to helping me?”

Her lips curve up. “Better question—why do you want me to help? If your answer is good, maybe I’ll reconsider.”

I stare at her, my mind a mess with all the potential answers. I don’t owe her an explanation, but I know if I don’t answer this honestly, she could put in a bad word before my date.

That’s the last thing I want.

My tongue fights against me as I let my true feelings out. “From the moment I saw her, I just thought she was the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. My heart…it does things I’m not used to when I see her. I need to know why.”

The smile that’s plastered on the shadow demon’s face is a combination of contentment and smugness. She looks like she just won a race—against me .

She pushes off the counter, taking a step toward me. “I helped you today because she needs some excitement, and to get out of the house.”

“And you’ll continue to help me?” I ask, trying not to sound too pathetic.

“Don’t do anything to fuck it up, and you won’t need my help. If you do fuck it up, if you hurt her, you’ll regret it. I promise .” Her tone may be soft, a smile on her lips, but the threat laces through each word.

I’ve dealt with a few shadow demons before, and even though it appears she’s given up the shadow demon ways, I’d rather not risk angering her too much.

“You should talk to her,” she tells me, tilting her head. “Tell her what you told me.”

I scoff, turning to look out the front window of her store. “And put my heart front and center? What an absurd idea.”

“Have you ever talked to a woman before?” She laughs, and I whip my head back in her direction.

“ Obviously, I have.”

A grin grows on her face. “Then why are you so scared? Girls like honesty, vulnerability.”

I open my mouth to give some answer or rebuttal, but nothing comes out. Why am I so scared? No, I’m not scared…just nervous? I’ve never wanted someone the way I crave Raya.

She doesn’t want anything to do with me or my powers. It’s exciting and new—a person who doesn’t want something from me.

Don’t get me wrong, I live for granting wishes and twisting them up to make people regret taking what they thought would be an easy route. But for her to not want a wish, to not give me the opportunity to twist it up—Gods, it’s so sexy.

Besides that, she is stunning. Her skin looks soft and supple, her body proportioned as if the Gods made her themselves. No one compares to her. No one ever has.

Underneath all the beauty is a gentle soul she seems determined to hide, to protect. I want her to feel safe with me so I can know every part of her.

Deep within my soul, beneath my trickster antics and magic, she’s awakened something new. Something I’ve never felt before.

A feeling I don’t want to lose.

I just hope she shows up for our date tomorrow.